Major General (MajGen) Farrell Sullivan graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 1993 with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Political Science and was subsequently commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. After graduating from The Basic School and the Infantry Officer’s Course, he reported to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment in Camp Lejeune, NC, where he served as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Weapons Platoon Commander, Combined Anti-Armor Platoon Commander, and as the Headquarters & Service Company Commander. During this period, MajGen Sullivan deployed aboard the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) in support of Operation Deny Flight, Operation Provide Promise, Operation Assured Response (Liberia), and Operation Marathon (Cuba). Subsequently MajGen Sullivan deployed via Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan and Korea.
MajGen Sullivan’s other operational assignments include: Commanding Officer, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines from 2001-2002, where he deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and to Okinawa, with engagements in Korea; Battalion Executive Officer, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, where he deployed to Southeast Asia; Battalion Commander, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines from 2009-2011, where he deployed as part of the 26th MEU to the Upper Gereshk Valley, Afghanistan; Commanding Officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit from 2016-2017, where he deployed to the 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Operation and also conducted disaster relief operations in Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands, and Key West; Commanding General, Naval Amphibious Task Force 51/ 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade from 2020-2022, where he led combat and non-combat operations across the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and the Horn of Africa. He led service and joint forces during Operation OCTAVE QUARTZ and Operation ALLIES REFUGE.
His staff and supporting establishment assignments include tactics instructor and Staff Platoon Commander at The Basic School from 1998-2000, Concepts and Plans Division, Marine Corps Combat Development Command from 2003-2006, MEF Planner at III Marine Expeditionary Force from 2008-2009, instructor at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College from 2012-2013, planner in the Joint Staff J-8 from 2013-2016, and the Chief of Staff of the 2nd Marine Division from 2018-2020. In July of 2022, he assumed the roles and responsibilities as Commanding General of Training Command. In July 2024 he assumed his current duties as the Director, Capabilities Development Directorate for Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration.
Major General Sullivan is a graduate of The Basic School, the Infantry Officer’s Course, and the Army Airborne Course. He attended the following Marine Corps University courses: Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the Command-and-Control Systems Course, the School of Advanced Warfighting, and the Marine Corps War College. He holds Masters Degrees in Military Studies, Operational Studies, and Strategic Studies from Marine Corps University.