David R. Everly

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David R. Everly of Inglewood, California, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1989 and graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After graduating from The Basic School and the Army Field Artillery Officer Basic Course with honors, he reported for duty as a forward observer with 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

While assigned to 10th Marines, Everly served as forward observer, guns platoon commander, Headquarters platoon commander, Assistant Executive Officer, fire direction officer, artillery liaison officer and executive officer.

In late 1998, Everly reported to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit for duty as the target information officer. Everly deployed aboard the USS Kearsarge to the Mediterranean Sea. He participated in Operations Noble Anvil and Shining Hope in Albania, combat operations during Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Avid Response, providing humanitarian assistance to the people of western Turkey. Upon returning from the Mediterranean Sea in the fall of 1999, Everly received orders to The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia.

While assigned to The Basic School, Everly served as the primary fire support instructor, Staff Platoon Commander for Companies D, F, and B, and as the officer-in-charge of the Naval Academy Leatherneck Program. After completing his TBS tour, Everly reported to the Army Field Artillery School in Fort Sill, Oklahoma for the Field Artillery Captains Career Course.

In 2002, Everly graduated from the Army FACCC with honors and reported to 1st Battalion, 12th Marines in Kaneohe, Hawaii. He served as assistant operations officer, operations officer and battery commander. As the commanding officer, Battery B, Everly deployed his unit to Operation Enduring Freedom Philippines and Thailand in support of security and counter-insurgency operations and Okinawa, Japan, in support of the Unit Deployment Program assigned to 3d Battalion, 12th Marines.

In 2005, Everly deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in support of U.S. Central Command. Everly was assigned to the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force for Former Regime Elements as the deputy J3 operations officer. On completing his tour in Iraq, Everly was assigned to the Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia for duty as a faculty advisor and expeditionary operations instructor.

In July 2008, Everly reported to 11th Marine Regiment and assumed duties as the executive officer, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and later assumed the duties of operations officer, 11th Marine Regiment. In the summer of 2011, Everly assumed command of 5th Battalion, 11th Marines. In the summer of 2013, He attended the National Defense University. After completing Top Level School, Everly was assigned to the Operations Directorate, J3, Current Operations, J33, Joint Staff. Everly was subsequently selected to serve as the junior military assistant to the secretary of defense.

Everly’s civilian and military education include: Army Field Artillery Career Course, Marine Corps Command and Staff Seminar Program, Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Webster University, Master of Arts in Psychology from Oklahoma State University and Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies from the National Defense University.

Everly’s personal awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation with Gold Star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal with Bronze Star and the Combat Action Ribbon.

He is married to the former NaTasha McEachin of Fayetteville, North Carolina and has two children, Aubrey and Elijah.