Portrait & Profile

ACMC on Life, Leadership, Love of Corps

By Sgt. Leo A. Salinas HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS, Washington

We almost lost him to the Navy, then we almost lost him to Wall Street. Gen. Robert Magnus has traveled a long way from Brooklyn, N.Y., and his stars now shine as the Corps' right hand man — the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Gen. Robert Magnus was commissioned in June 1969, after graduating from the University of Virginia. In 1993, he received a master's degree from Strayer College. Gen. Magnus' military education includes Naval Aviator Training, the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the National War College.
Photo by Sgt. Leo A. Salinas
  1. When and how were you first introduced to the Corps?

    "I was first introduced to the Marines by a Marine officer instructor and his assistant Marine officer instructor at the University of Virginia in 1965."

  2. What made you choose the Marines over one of the other services?

    "I wanted to be a sailor en route to being a Navy officer until I ran into the Marines."

  3. You stepped out of the Marine Corps for about a year in 1974. What did you do during that time and what prompted your return to active duty in 1975?

    "I thought I wanted to get out of the Marine Corps to make money. I got a job working on Wall Street. From my window on the 24th floor looking out over the East River, I realized three things: I really liked flying, I really liked leading people – especially Marines, and that Wall Street wasn't for me."

  4. When you were a young 2nd Lieutenant, did you ever envision yourself as the assistant commandant?

    "Absolutely not. I don't ever think in my career I seriously thought much about the next rank. Marines are focused on learning what they need to do now and getting their tactical and leadership skills."

  5. Are there any life lessons learned at the stick of a CH-46?

    "Sure, responsibility and accountability. There are people depending on you to know your stuff and make good decisions, particularly in a crisis."

  6. If you could have any other job – in or out of the Corps – what would it be?

    "Leading Marines operationally in combat. Command and leadership is where it's at. The Commandant of the Marine Corps, you can say, has the greatest job in the Corps. I got the second greatest job in the Marine Corps."

  7. When you get off work each day, what's the first thing you do.

    "Call my wife."

  8. Outside the Corps how do you define happiness and success?

    "Happiness is the ability to set a good example, do your best and to be looked to for learning and guidance. I feel that way as a father and a granddad. I feel that as a Marine leader, too. If people look back at you and say he did something that set a good example, he was honest, he gave good advice even when he didn't follow it, he was somebody that knew his stuff and made good decisions. That's happiness."

  9. Who or what has been the biggest influence on you?

    "The biggest shaping influence on my life was mom and dad. Both were blue collar workers and shaped me to be an adult. My continuing greatest influence is my wife. She's the good angel on my shoulder, my best friend and my best critic."

  10. Who will win the Super Bowl this year?

    "Indianapolis"