Gen. Eric Smith, recently confirmed as the new commandant of the Marine Corps, was hospitalized following a medical emergency on Sunday night. The exact nature and severity of his condition have not been disclosed. In his absence, duties of the commandant are being performed by Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, commander of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command.
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Key Points:Â
- Gen. Eric Smith was confirmed as the new commandant of the Marine Corps but was hospitalized due to a medical emergency.
- The Marine Corps has not provided specific details regarding the circumstances or the severity of Gen. Smith’s medical condition.
- Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl is currently fulfilling the responsibilities of the commandant during Gen. Smith’s absence.
- President Joe Biden nominated Smith to succeed Gen. David Berger. His appointment faced delays in the Senate over Pentagon policies before he was confirmed with a 96-0 vote.
- Before his appointment as commandant, Gen. Smith had served in the Marine Corps for 36 years, overseeing various missions and attempting to address issues like hazing and sexual assault within the service.
