Ronald L. Bailey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ronald L. Bailey
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| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1977– 2017 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion 2nd Marine Regiment |
| Awards | Defense Superior Service Medal (2) |
Ronald L. Bailey is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Marine Corps. This means he was a very high-ranking officer. He made history as the first African American to lead the 1st Marine Division. He held this important role from 2011 to 2013.
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Early Life and Education
Ronald Bailey grew up in St. Augustine, Florida. He went to St. Augustine High School there. After high school, he attended Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. He graduated from the university in 1977.
In the same year he graduated, he joined the Marine Corps as a second lieutenant. This was the start of his long military career. He was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He began his service as an infantry officer, which means he led soldiers on foot in combat.
Leading the Marines
General Bailey had many important jobs during his time in the Marine Corps. In January 2011, he was chosen to lead the Marine Corps Recruiting Command. In this role, he was in charge of more than 22,000 troops. He also served as the commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. This is a place where new Marines get their training.
When he took on the recruiting command, General Bailey shared his thoughts on leadership. He said that leadership is about connecting with people. He believed that Marines must always be ready to protect the nation. They do this by working professionally and with care in communities across the country.
Promotions and Retirement
In June 2013, Ronald Bailey received a major promotion. He became a lieutenant general. This is one of the highest ranks in the military. He then moved to the Headquarters Marine Corps. There, he worked as the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations. This job involved making big decisions about how the Marines operate.
General Bailey served the United States Marine Corps for 41 years. He retired on July 31, 2017. His long and successful career made a big impact. In 2020, his hometown of St. Augustine, Florida, honored him. They placed a historic marker at Collier-Blocker-Puryear Park to celebrate his achievements.
Life After the Military
After retiring from the Marine Corps, General Bailey continued to work in important roles. In 2020, he became the Vice-President for Institutional Advancement at Austin Peay State University. This is the same university he graduated from many years before.
Later, he became the Vice President of Industry Development at the National Electric Contractors Association. He also serves as a director for the Travis Manion Foundation. This foundation helps veterans and families of fallen heroes.
