East Lansing native set to become top US Marine - Lansing State Journal
EAST LANSING – At the time, Dodie Neller didn't find it unusual that her son, Robert, arranged toy soldiers in formations and carried out military maneuvers. The young Robert Neller also studied the Civil War and showed unusual discipline and organization, the East Lansing woman recalled. "That was his interest, the Civil War and military history," Dodie Neller said. But Neller admits to being a little surprised when he told her he was joining the U. S. Marine Corps out of the University of Virginia. Then he called and told me he was just going to go into the Marine Corps from ROTC. Robert Neller, a 1971 graduate of East Lansing High School, was nominated to serve as the 37th commandant of the Marine Corps, the Corps' highest-ranking officer. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter described Neller, 62, as a warrior, leader and statesman who identifies with rank-and-file service members. "I know he will be a magnificent commandant for the Marines serving all over the world. Neller appeared Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee as the panel considers his nomination as commandant. Neller served in Iraq from 2005 to 2007 and currently commands both Marine Corps Forces Europe and Marine Corps Forces Command, which oversees Marine. Source: www.lansingstatejournal.com
