On Oct. 20, 1978, the commandant of the Marine Corps became an official, co-equal member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
This legislation, signed by President Jimmy Carter, paved the way for Marine officers to serve as commanders of joint commands as well as vice chairman and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Gen. Louis H. Wilson, Jr. was the commandant at the time and his successor, Gen. Robert H. Barrow, became the first Marine Corps commandant to serve a four-year term as a member of the Joint Chiefs.
Gen. Louis H. Wilson Jr.,
26th commandant of the Marine Corps
Gen. Robert H. Barrow,
27th commandant of the Marine Corps
Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1976
Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1979