USNI News Home » Military Personnel » UPDATED: White House Nominates Next Marine Assistant Commandant; U.S. Fleet Forces Commander, Deputy UPDATED: White House Nominates Next Marine Assistant Commandant; U.S. Fleet Forces Commander, Deputy July 15, 2021 7:35 PM Lt. Gen. Eric Smith(left), Vice Admiral Daryl Caudle (center), Vice Admiral James Kilby (right) This post has been updated to include the nomination of Lt. Gen. Eric Smith to serve as the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps’ deputy commandant for combat development and integration has been tapped to serve as the second-highest-ranking officer in the service, the Pentagon announced on Thursday. Meanwhile, the current head of the Navy’s Atlantic submarine force and the current head of the service’s requirements office have been nominated to lead U.S. Fleet Forces Command.