MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- In what amounts to a rarity in times of war or peace, a former Camp Pendleton commanding general has been called out of retirement to return to active duty.

Maj. Gen. David F. Bice, who commanded the base for 13 months ending in July 2002, is serving as the inspector general at Headquarters Marine Corps. Bice assumed the post in mid-August.

It's only the second time a two-star general has been recalled from retirement since Sept. 11, 2001, according to a Headquarters Marine Corps press release. The first involved Maj. Gen. Larry S. Taylor in October 2002, to serve as deputy commander of Marines Forces Reserve in New Orleans. Taylor held the post for less than a year, the release said.

Bice becomes the 81st Marine general currently on active duty. Usually, no more than 80 are allowed by law, but Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld signed a waiver allowing the staffing boost, the release said.

Retired general officers are recalled to active duty only in times of "national emergency," said Maj. Douglas M. Powell, a spokesman at Headquarters Marine Corps.

Enlisted Marines and officers up to the rank of colonel are recalled from retirement routinely in peacetime and wartime, he said.

Bice's recall stems from "emerging, temporary ... requirements for Marine Corps general officers as a result of the global war on terrorism," Powell said.

"I will spend a year in this position. After that, I will retire - again," Bice said last week via telephone from Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he and his staff were conducting an inspection.

While Bice was here, his credits included the base being named for the Installation Excellence Award denoting the Marine Corps' top base, as voted by Marines around the Corps. He also testified before Congress to help secure millions of dollars in funding for upgraded security on base.

"I believe that my operating force and supporting establishment helped to get the position," Bice said.

The job of inspector general involves a lot of traveling and surprise visits to different bases, he said.

"We do no-notice inspections to see reality, then brief the commander. We spend about two hours at every battalion," Bice said.

The IG's staff also conducts investigations on alleged fraud, waste and abuse that's considered "noncriminal," according to the office's Web site.

As the "eyes and ears of the commandant," Bice says his job entails "always trying to improve the Corps" by evaluating operational readiness, quality of life, peacetime safety and efficiency.

Bice, who served as a defense consultant after leaving the Corps, said he relishes being back in uniform.

"I'm no different than any Marine, and I don't know any Marine that wouldn't jump at the chance to get back to active duty," he said.

E-mail Lance Cpl. Arthur at Lanessa.Arthur@usmc.mil