Commanding General, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, Set for Promotion

The commanding general, 1st Marine Division, San Diego has been nominated for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, the Department of Defense announced.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson would be assigned as commanding general, Training and Education Command, Quantico, Va. following the promotion.

Watson assumed command of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton in July 2022.

He has been deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo after beginning his career with the Marines following completion of a degree in history at Cornell University.

Watson first served as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Weapons Platoon Commander and Executive Officer with Company K, before being assigned as a commanding officer, operations officer, future operations planner and assistant division commander, among other posts.

He also has been commanding general of Task Force Southwest in Helmand and Nimroz Provinces, Afghanistan, Marine Corps Installations East/Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory/Futures Directorate.

Watson’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Combat Action Ribbon.