MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A picturesque Southern California day set the stage for a classic Marine Corps tradition as Col. James B. Seaton III took over command of Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, from Col. J.C. Coleman.
Major Gen. Michael R. Lehnert, Commanding General for Marine Corps Installations West, but positive remarks for both Colonels Coleman and Seaton, noting their letters from Gen. Michael W. Hagee.
“If you noticed, those were personal letters from the Commandant of the Marine Corps for two outstanding individuals and their families,” said Maj. Gen. Lehnert, after the narrator read each letter aloud.
He then extended immense gratitude to Col. Coleman and his family and gave a warm welcome to Col. Seaton and his family as well.
“Lylah, Rachel, Erin — welcome aboard,” said Maj. Gen. Lehnert, turning to Col. Seaton’s family in the gallery before addressing the rest of the audience. “Colonel Seaton, as you can tell from his biography, comes to us with an outstanding record.”
Seaton started his Marine Corps career as an artillery officer with 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune, N.C., in 1982.
In 1991 he earned a master’s degree in political science from Duke University and went on to serve as a political science instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he received the William P. Clements Award for Excellence in Education as the academy’s top military instructor.
Colonel Seaton was named a Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship and assigned to the National Security Council (NSC) staff at the White House in 1994.
Upon completing tour, he remained on the NSC staff as director of defense policy. In 1998 he transferred to 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan, and served as operations officer for 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines.
Before his most recent assignment at Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Twentynine Palms, he spent nearly three years at Camp Pendleton and served as commander of 1st Battalion, 11th Marines from June 2002 to June 2004, leading his Marines and Sailors during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Colonel Coleman has a superb reputation,” said Col. Seaton, who previously served as the operations and training director at Training Command. “In the short time he’s had here (as Marine Corps Base commanding officer), he’s clearly made a huge impact on Camp Pendleton.”
Colonel Coleman has served as the base commanding officer since Oct. 21, 2005 and is retiring after 30 years of service July 1.
The Change of Command ceremony was followed by Col. Coleman’s retirement ceremony, adding sentiment and flare.