Major General David L. Odom is a native of Hartsville, South Carolina. He graduated from The Citadel and was commissioned in 1991. He has served as an infantry officer at all levels, including command of India Company, 3d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment; 3d Battalion 8th Marine Regiment during Operation Enduring Freedom; and 4th Marine Regiment in Okinawa, Japan.
As a General Officer, he commanded Task Force Southwest 19.2 in Helmand and Nimroz Provinces, Afghanistan; and 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. His staff assignments include serving as Assistant Division Commander of 2d Marine Division; Deputy Commanding General of II Marine Expeditionary Force; and Director, Expeditionary Warfare Division (N95) on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV). Major General Odom most recently served as the Deputy Director for Current and Integrated Operations (J-33), Operations Directorate (J-3), the Joint Staff.
Major General Odom is a distinguished graduate of The Basic School; Amphibious Warfare School; the Marine Corps Command and Staff College; the School of Advanced Warfighting; and the Marine Corps War College. He holds Master’s Degrees in Military, Operational, and Strategic Studies. He completed the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program in October 2012.