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 from the United States Marine Corps. 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 L. Bailey grew up in St. Augustine, Florida. He went to St. Augustine High School. After high school, he attended Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. He graduated from the university in 1977.
In the same year, he became a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. This meant he officially joined the Marines as an officer. He was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Early in his career, he served as an infantry officer. This means he led groups of soldiers on foot in combat.
Thoughts on Leadership
When he was chosen to lead the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, General Bailey shared his ideas about leadership. He believed that being a good leader means having a positive influence on people. He also stressed the importance of building strong relationships. He said that the American people expect the Marines to protect them. He promised that the Marines would always work professionally to meet this expectation.
Military Career Highlights
General Bailey had a long and successful career in the United States Marine Corps. He served for 41 years, from 1977 until his retirement in 2017.
In January 2011, he was given a big responsibility. He was appointed 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 major training base for new Marines.
In June 2013, Ronald Bailey received a promotion. He became a lieutenant general. He was then assigned to the Headquarters Marine Corps. There, he worked as the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations. This was a very important job. It involved helping to plan how the Marine Corps would operate.
General Bailey officially retired from the Marine Corps on July 31, 2017.
Life After the Military
Even after retiring from the military, General Bailey continued to be active. In 2020, his hometown honored him. A special historic marker was placed at Collier-Blocker-Puryear Park in St. Augustine, Florida. This marker celebrates his achievements.
Also in 2020, he took on a new role. He became the Vice-President for Institutional Advancement at Austin Peay State University. This is the same university he graduated from many years ago. After that, he became the Vice President of Industry Development at the National Electrical Contractors Association.
He also serves as a director for the Travis Manion Foundation. This foundation helps veterans and families of fallen heroes.
