Commander, United States Marine Corps Forces, South
  
Major General John M. Croley is currently serving as the Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces South in Miami, Fl., and the Deputy Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command in Norfolk, Va.

Major General Croley graduated in 1977 from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. degree in Mathematics. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant via the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program in July 1977 and was designated a Naval Aviator in November 1979.

In December 1979, First Lieutenant Croley commenced transition into the AH-1 Attack Helicopter at HMA-269, MCAS New River, Jacksonville, NC. He served in many challenging squadron assignments from Aviation Ordnance to Logistics and Embarkation. During 1981-1982, he served aboard an amphibious ready group during hostilities in the vicinity of Lebanon and Israel.

Released from active duty in May 1983, he remained a member of the Individual Ready Reserve. In January 1985, Captain Croley joined HMA-773, NAS Atlanta, Marietta, GA and commenced refresher training in the AH-1J Attack Helicopter. He served in a multitude of positions from ground training officer and various operations department assignments.

In November 1990, the squadron was recalled to active duty for combat operations to support Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. As an Assistant Operations officer, he coordinated armed escort operations for the mine sweeping effort off the coast of Kuwait and Iraq. In 1993, the squadron transitioned to the new AH-1W Attack Helicopter, added the UH-1 helicopter to the unit and in 1994 was re-designated as a light attack helicopter squadron (HMLA). Lieutenant Colonel Croley was assigned as Executive Officer and later as a detachment commander. In January of 1996, he took command of HMLA-773 and led the squadron through five Weedeater counter-narcotic joint operations in four Caribbean islands.

In 1998, in a post command tour, he formed a team to recruit and educate the active duty sites on opportunities at 4th Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW). Later that year, as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA), Lieutenant Colonel Croley served as the J-3 Plans Officer for Commander US Forces Korea to support Operation Ulchi Focus Lens.

In January 2000, he was assigned as the Deputy G-3 Assistant Operations Officer. Promoted to Colonel in July 2001, he went on to serve as the G-1 Assistant Chief of Staff at 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, New Orleans, LA.

In October 2001, Colonel Croley was assigned to the Deputy Commander position at Marine Aircraft Group 42 in NAS Atlanta, Marietta, Georgia. He served as the Air Combat Element (ACE) Commander for a regimental amphibious exercise involving five squadrons in support. In January 2002 the MAG-42 Marines were recalled to active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). He served as the G-3 Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Liaison Officer in Kuwait and Iraq. He facilitated the assault support planning effort for I Marine Expeditionary Force and demobilized in October 2003.

Following his tour in support of OIF, Colonel Croley was assigned as the Commander, U.S. Marine Forces South in Miami, Florida and was promoted to Brigadier General in January 2006. While at MARFORSOUTH, Brigadier General Croley focused on developing partnerships with Latin American nations in a broad effort to strengthen ties with U.S. allies in South America.

In August 2008, Brigadier General Croley was assigned as the Commanding General, 4^th Marine Aircraft Wing in New Orleans and was promoted to Major General in June 2010.

His formal schools include Air Force Command and Staff Reserve Course; Marine Corps University Command and Staff; Joint Doctrine Air Campaign Course; NATO Amphibious Warfare Operations; Reserve National Security Course; NATO Joint Warfare Course; and the Senior Watch Officer TACC Course.