Lieutenant General Benjamin Watson assumed duties as Commanding General of Training & Education Command in August of 2024, and additionally as Deputy Commandant, Training & Education in July of 2025.
LtGen Watson graduated from Cornell University in 1991 and was commissioned through the NROTC program. After the Infantry Officer Course, he reported to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines and deployed with both the 24th and 26th MEU(SOC).
LtGen Watson's other operational assignments include: Weapons Company Commander and Operations Officer, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, including deployments with the 22nd and 24th MEU(SOC) during Operations Provide Promise, Deny Flight, and Dynamic Response; G-3 Future Operations Planner, I MEF (Fwd) and RCT-7 during Operation Iraqi Freedom; G-3 Plans Officer, 1st Marine Division; Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, including deployments with both 31st MEU and to Helmand Province, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom; and Assistant Division Commander, 2nd Marine Division.
His service outside the operating forces includes duty as an instructor at The Basic School, Infantry Officer Course, and Expeditionary Warfare School. He served as Senior Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian & Pacific Security Affairs, and as Special Assistant to the OSD Chief of Staff. LtGen Watson also commanded Marine Barracks, Washington D.C. (8th & I).
As a General Officer, LtGen Watson served as Commanding General, Task Force Southwest in Helmand and Nimroz Provinces, Afghanistan during Operations Resolute Support and Freedom's Sentinel; Commanding General of Marine Corps Installations East/Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune; Commanding General of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory/Futures Directorate and Vice Chief of the Office of Naval Research; and Commanding General, 1st Marine Division.
LtGen Watson is a graduate of the Summer Mountain Leaders Course, Amphibious Warfare School, Marine Corps Command & Staff College (Non-Res), School of Advanced Warfighting, and National War College.