The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) welcomed MGen. Charlton Sean M. Gaerlan PN(M) as the 35th Commandant in a formal ceremony on August 15, 2022.
MGen. Gaerlan was the Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Education, Training, and Doctrine Command (AFPETDC) before being appointed as the new PMC Commandant succeeding former Commandant, MGen. Nestor C. Herico PN(M)(Ret).
A native of Baguio City and a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989, MGen. Gaerlan completed his junior and senior operational billets serving as Platoon Commander, 22nd Marine Company; Commanding Officer, 42nd Marine Company; Operations Officer, Marine Battalion Landing Team-3 (MBLT-3); Executive Officer, MBLT-11; Commanding Officer, MBLT-3; Deputy Brigade Commander, 2nd Marine Brigade; Deputy Commander, Marine Operations, Naval Forces Western Mindanao; and Commander, 3rd Marine Brigade in Western Command, Palawan, which was adjudged as the best PMC brigade from 2018 to 2020.
MGen. Gaerlan held key positions in the AFP: Flag Officer’s Aide-de-Camp and the Senior Military Assistant to the Speaker of the House of Representatives; Deputy, Marine Corps Staff for Personnel, MC1; Marine Corps Staff for Operations, MC3; Inspector General of the Philippine Marine Corps; Deputy Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Operations, N3; Director of the Naval Operations Center, Philippine Navy; and the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, J2, GHQ, AFP.
He earned a degree in Masters in Military Studies from the US Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia and Senior Executive Course on National Security at the National Defense College of the Philippines. He was also a professor at the AFP Command and General Staff College.
During the assumption of command, the new Commandant declared that keeping pace with a more modern Marine Corps is his work philosophy. He added, “I envision “TEAM-MARINES” for the PMC. It is to Train and educate, Equip and integrate, Assess and evaluate, and Maintain and develop our loving Marine Corps. Mission Ready at all times, Adaptable, Reliable, Innovative, Nationalistic, Excellent, and Selflessly Serving the Nation.” (VICTOR BALDEMOR)
