MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Fresh out of The Basic School,  Richard S. Kramlich handled supply accounts for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing 31 years ago as a young second lieutenant.

Maj. Gen. Kramlich will now decide how the Marine Corps will logistically support current and future conflicts and operations throughout the world.

Kramlich relinquished command of the 1st Force Service Support Group to Brig. Gen. David G. Reist Friday. During his time as commanding general of the 8,900 Marines and sailors of the 1st FSSG, Kramlich led the logistical effort for I Marine Expeditionary Force units throughout Iraq's Al Anbar province during an 11-month tour last year.

He's recently been selected not only for a third star by the U.S. Senate, but for deputy commandant of Installation and Logistics at Headquarters Marine Corps, where he will act on behalf of the commandant of the Marine Corps in designated matters of logistics policy and management, and coordinate logistics actions with other agencies.

From the beginning of his career as an officer in charge of air wing supply accounts in the mid-1970s, through leading a major subordinate command in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, Kramlich credits his many and varying experiences on different levels - both planning and operational - to his success throughout his 32-year career.

"I think the Marine Corps is good in preparing you for challenges you might face as you're promoted through the ranks. The schools I went to were very rigorous and set up in a way that I got to learn how the MAGTF operates," said Kramlich, a Whitehall, Penn., native. "During my time at Headquarters Marine Corps, I helped develop supply and maintenance policies, got to know program managers at (installation and logistics), got to see (maritime prepositioning force) aspects and maintenance capabilities," a background that helped him to understand how those elements in the Marine Corps exist to bring combat power onto the battlefield, and make the (Marine Air-Ground Task Force) what it is.

He now hopes that his time as a combat and operational leader as commander of the 1st FSSG will enable him to better fulfill logistical requirements throughout the Marine Corps in future missions and challenges at the headquarters level.

"Having that experience, I hope I have a better understanding and perspective of what that MAGTF needs from that element of HQMC (I&L), and how we can continue to support what the Marine on the ground needs."

Drawing from his combat experience during Operation Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, Kramlich realized it's the Marines and sailors on the ground who win wars.

"When you're in that type of environment and everything is at stake, you find yourself very dependent on the abilities of your young leaders," said Kramlich.

"You will never be surprised at what a Marine on the battlefield is capable of. No matter how tough the task is, or brutal the conditions are, they will find a way."

Despite the unprecedented push from Kuwait to Baghdad in March 2003, when the I MEF pushed inland nearly 600 miles to defeat Saddam Hussein's forces, Kramlich says that the MAGTF won't rest on its laurels, and will continue to look for new ways to improve warfighting capabilities.

"I think we want to continue to hone our ability by looking at other ways we can introduce combat power into a theater of war. That includes enhancing MPF capability, the way we use the Osprey, current technology and the way we control visibility of assets so we can lighten our footprints. We just have to find ways to do it better," he said.

As the I Marine Expeditionary Force looks at a third tour in Iraq next year, it will face two challenges - providing stability and support, as well as making the Iraqi security forces self-sufficient - something that combat service support training and education will greatly enhance.

"We're going to find as we go back, the focus is going to be on bolstering, training and turning (the mission) over to the Iraqi security forces. I think we will view that with our MAGTF glasses on," said Kramlich.

The FSSG will also place an added emphasis on the of importance of logistics, and teach them distribution, accountability and mobile maintenance, he added.

Kramlich doesn't believe that the Iraqis will develop an expeditionary MAGTF equal to that of the Corps, but still believes there are rudimentary, basic combat service support functions important for the Iraqis to develop.

"One advantage we have with logistics is that even if you're doing training, you're still providing real-world support," Kramlich said. "They (Iraqi security forces) will have maintenance requirements, so we can turn those mobile maintenance teams and perform maintenance alongside Iraqis. We'll show them techniques and the command and control required to complete those combat service support missions."

Back on the homefront, Kramlich says that now is the time for small-unit leaders to prepare for a return to Iraq, and take advantage of the opportunities available to enhance their leadership.

"These NCOs need to be ready to accept responsibility as soon as they get there, and need to prepare before they get there," he said. "This is a small-unit leader's war."

Although the operational tempo of the Global War on Terrorism has allowed for waiver extensions from professional military education resident and nonresident courses, Kramlich urges noncommissioned and staff noncommissioned officers to pursue military school seats.

"I think we are at a point now where (professional military education) courses have never been more important," he said. "Some of us feel that as we prepare for combat, we don't have time. This is when you need to make time. We can't afford not to do those things."

Kramlich led the logistical support for both Fallujah assaults in April and November, respectively, and said the lessons learned from the first attempt led to greater success in the fall of 2004.

"We had a noose around the town, but the attack was halted. But from a logistics point of view we were going to be able to sustain such an attack," he said.

Following the withdrawal from Fallujah in the spring of 2004, enemy forces bolstered their defenses in the city and continued their havoc on the locals and coalition forces, which led the I MEF to meticulously plan a return into the restive city - this time, supplied through readily available supplies -- dubbed an iron mountain.

"We built stockpiles of key supplies and for units of the 1st Marine Division. There wasn't much the enemy could do to impede our combat power," he said.
When Kramlich returned from Iraq in February, he brought home wisdom, experience and memories he will never forget.

"I don't think I'll ever forget being promoted by Lt. Gen. Sattler in front of FSSG Marines, or my relationship with Sgt. Maj. Cole, who was out there the whole time with me. He's a great leader and I learned a lot from him."

The homecomings have also reserved a special place in his heart.

"It recharges your batteries when you see how well your Marines and sailors are received when they come back, not just here but in the local community," he said.

Now it's time for Kramlich to recharge his own batteries.

As Kramlich returns to the East Coast, where he played four years of high school football for the Whitehall Zephyrs, he looks forward to a fall season full of pigskin - from the Philadelphia Eagles to his alumni high school team.

"There's something about fall weather in Pennsylvania that makes you crave football," said the 1969 Whitehall High School graduate.

Returning to the east will also allow him to once again attend family gatherings, picnics and holiday dinners with friends and family.

Believe it or not, generals do have parents - parents just as proud of him as when he first pinned on his golden bars more than 30 years ago.

"I am still their son, and they are proud of what I do," he said.