Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, General Eric M. Smith has been hospitalized due to unknown medical emergency

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith experienced a medical emergency on the evening of Oct. 29, 2023, and has been hospitalized. 

Per statute 10 U.S.C. § 8044, as the senior officer assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, by date of rank, Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration and commanding general of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, is serving as acting Commandant of the Marine Corps for the interim.