ColWeaver-retirement-program-rev

Colonel Paul R. Weaver Retirement Ceremony february 11, 2022 The National Museum of the Marine Corps Quantico, VA

Combat Development & Integration Retirement Ceremony Quantico, VA THE MARINES’ HYMN From the Halls of Montezuma To the shores of Tripoli; We fight our country’s battles In the air, on land, and sea; First to fight for right and freedom And to keep our honor clean; We are proud to claim the title Of United States Marine. Our flag’s unfurled to every breeze From dawn to setting sun; We have fought in ev’ry clime and place Where we could take a gun; In the snow of far-off Northern lands And in sunny tropic scenes; You will find us always on the job The United States Marines Here’s health to you and to our Corps Which we are proud to serve; In many a strife we’ve fought for life And never lost our nerve; If the Army and the Navy Ever look on Heaven’s scenes; They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines.

Pre-Ceremony Music **Invocation by CAPT Michael Brown U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps **National Anthem **Honors to Gen Eric M. Smith **Presentation of Retirement Orders/Letters Remarks from Gen Eric M. Smith Remarks from Col Paul R. Weaver **Marines’ Hymn Closing Narration ** - Guests please stand

General Eric M. Smith Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps General Smith is currently serving as the 36th Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in Plano, Texas, General Smith graduated from Texas A&M University and was commissioned in 1987. He has commanded at every level, including Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment during Operation Assured Response in Monrovia, Liberia; 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom; and 8th Marine Regiment/ Regimental Combat Team 8 during Operation Enduring Freedom. He also served in Caracas, Venezuela as part of the U.S. Military Group. As a General Officer, he commanded U.S. Marine Corps Forces Southern Command, 1st Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Marine Corps Combat Development Command. General Smith’s staff assignments as a General Officer include serving as the Director of Capability Development Directorate, Combat Development and Integration; Senior Military Assistant to both the Deputy Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Defense; and Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration.

Colonel Paul R. Weaver Chief of Staff, CD&I Colonel Paul R. Weaver graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May of 1992. Throughout his career Colonel Weaver continued his education and has since received Master’s Degrees in Operations Research and International Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School and the Naval War College respectively. As a company grade officer Colonel Weaver led multiple detachments supporting Marine Expeditionary Unit deployments in the Western Pacific and the Mediterranean. His experiences led to his assignment as a C2 & UAS instructor at the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron (MAWTS-1). As a field grade officer Colonel Weaver was assigned to the Programs and Resources Department (HQMC P&R) and later served as Aide-De-Camp to the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources. While at headquarters he was also assigned as the operations analyst on the USMC Quadrennial Defense Review (2004) team. As a Major and Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel Weaver returned to the operational forces and deployed twice in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM as the Assistant Operations Officer and subsequently the Operations Officer for Marine Air Control Group 28. During his final deployment, then Lieutenant Colonel Weaver served as the Commanding Officer of Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28. Colonel Weaver’s most recent tours include the Plans Division Deputy, EUCOM J5 where he helped oversee all contingency planning throughout the crises in Syria and Ukraine from 2012-2015. Upon completion of his staff tour at EUCOM, Colonel Weaver assumed command of Marine Air Control Group 48. Upon relinquishing Command, Colonel Weaver returned to Headquarters Marine Corps and served as Director of the Marine Corps Integration Division, Capability Development Directorate (CDD). He was responsible for the planning and integration of all Force Design and Development activities that inform the Marine Corps’ allocation of resources across the Fiscal Years Defense Program for three years. Additionally, he served within CDD as the Deputy Director. Colonel’s Weaver’s final assignment leading to his retirement was the Chief of Staff, Marine Corps Combat Development Command. Colonel Weaver’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/gold star, the Navy/ Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/Gold Star. Colonel Weaver remains deeply devoted to his wife, the former Ms. Julianne Buonocore, and their four children; Abigail (25), Paul (23), Andrew (17), and Charlotte (14). Colonel Weaver’s wife is an accomplished nurse with Fairfax County Health Department and has maintained her career while raising the children throughout multiple deployments.

Col Weaver’s Marine Corps Journey

Col Weaver’s Marine Corps Journey

Col Weaver’s Marine Corps Journey

Col Weaver’s Marine Corps Journey

Col Weaver’s Marine Corps Journey

Combat Development & Integration Retirement Ceremony Quantico, VA Take up the flag and furl it, Put your old steel pot away. Stow those leggings in the locker, Cause the band’s about to play. Look in the mirror and wonder At the time that has slipped away, Of the messmates and the comrades That you’ve known along the way. The battalion’s on the grinder, And did I hear the Gunny say Come on, old man, get moving; This is your retirement day.

Semper Fidelis