Niel E. "Rick" Nelson is a retired United States Marine Corps major general. He took command of the

United States Marine Forces Europe and Africa Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa (abbreviated as MARFOREUR/AF), headquartered in Panzer Kaserne-Barracks in Böblingen, Germany, is the U.S. Marine Corps component of the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command. History In February 1 ...

in 2015. His final assignment before his 2018 retirement was as Assistant Deputy Commandant for Combat Development & Integration and Deputy Commanding General of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command.

Early life and education

Nelson was born in

Fort Knox Fort Knox is a United States Army installation in Kentucky, south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. It is adjacent to the United States Bullion Depository, which is used to house a large portion of the United States' official gold res ...

, Kentucky. He graduated from San Diego State University and was commissioned into the United States Army in May 1984. Nelson was named a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Army Advanced Engineer Officers School; attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College where he received a Masters of Military Science; attended the School for Advance Warfighting; and the United States Army War College, where he received a Master of Science in International and Strategic Studies. Nelson also holds a Master of Science in Systems Management and graduated from the

Joint Forces Staff College The Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC), located in Norfolk, Virginia, was established as the Armed Forces Staff College in 1946 and incorporated into the National Defense University in August 1981. It educates and acculturates joint and multinat ...

Military career

Nelson's promotion to brigadier general was approved by the United States Senate in May 2011. His subsequent promotion to major general was approved in March 2015. In 2015 Nelson was awarded the de Fleury Medal in a ceremony held in Kabul. His additional military decorations include the

Defense Superior Service Medal The Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM) is a military decoration of the United States Department of Defense, which is presented to United States Armed Forces service members who perform superior meritorious service in a position of significant ...

;

Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight ...

with two Gold Stars;

Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Wh ...

with V Device; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with one Gold Star; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars; Army Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal.

Personal life

Nelson is the son of Ronald Andrew Nelson (born 26 July 1933) and Kathleen Ann "Kay" (Butler) Nelson (18 November 1936 – 25 October 2019). He has a sister and two brothers. His father retired from the United States Army as a lieutenant colonel and one of his brothers also served in the Marine Corps, retiring as a major.

References

Year of birth missing (living people) Living people San Diego State University alumni Marine Corps University alumni Joint Forces Staff College alumni United States Army War College alumni Recipients of the Legion of Merit United States Marine Corps generals Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal {{USMC-bio-stub