This summer, Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley (’85 BBA, Systems Analysis) became the first Black four-star general in the history of the U.S. Marines. In the position, he commands all U.S. military forces in Africa as head of U.S. Africa Command.
Langley received his commission in 1985 and has commanded at every level from platoon to regiment. Since November 2021, he served as commanding general of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, where he oversaw all Marine forces on the Atlantic coast. He also served in Afghanistan, Somalia, and Japan; led U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa; and held top jobs at the Pentagon.
“I am enthusiastic to engage across the whole government to faithfully execute the policies and orders of the president and the secretary of defense,” Langley said during his Senate testimony on July 21.
At UTA, Langley was a four-year letterman in track and field. His former track teammates said they weren’t surprised he received the honor.
“It makes perfect sense,” said one of those teammates, Robert Howard (’85 BA, Physical Education), a recipient of the UTA Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2000 and president of Don Davis Auto Group. “He was committed to being as good as he could possibly be.”
