Lieutenant General Jeffery W. Oster, USMC

Class of 1963

LTGEN Oster graduated with a B.S. degree in geology from the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 1963. He was then commissioned a second lieutenant through the Platoon Leaders Class Program. His professional military education includes The Basic School (1964) and Amphibious Warfare School (1971), both at Quantico, VA, and the National War College (1982), Washington, D.C.. He also holds an MBA degree from the University of Wisconsin- Madison (1976).

Designated an infantry officer, General Oster has served at every operational level in the Fleet Marine Force. Initially, he was assigned as a platoon commander with the 2d Battalion, 3d Marines which deployed to the Republic of Vietnam in 1965. Subsequent duties include: assignments as a Shore Party Team Commander, Battalion Landing Team 3/8 (1966); Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines (1971); S-3 of the 2d Battalion 7th Marines (1972), Regimental Executive Officer, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division and concurrently as Assistant Camp Commander, Camp Schwab, Okinawa (1981); Regimental Commander of the 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (1987); and as the Assistant Division Commander, 3d Marine Division/Commanding General, 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (1989).

General Oster has held the following principal staff assignments: Marine Corps White House Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Navy (1967); Marine Officer Instructor, NROTC Unit, University of Wisconsin (1972); Manpower Programs Officer, Manpower Plans and Policy Division, Headquarters Marine Corps, (1976); Program Analyst and Program Review Coordinator, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Program Analysis & Evaluation) (1979); Secretary of the General Staff, Office of the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Marine Corps (1983); Assistant Chief of Staff G-3, 1st Marine Division (1986); and Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (Reserve Affairs), Headquarters Marine Corps (1992).

General Oster’s personal decorations include: The Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Legion of Merit; the Meritorious Service Medal.

LTGEN Oster served in Baghdad, Iraq from February through June 2004 as the Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer of the Coalition Provisional Authority. He remained in Iraq through July to assist in the transition to the U.S. Embassy. His last active-duty assignment was as the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters Marine Corps. At retirement he completed 35 years of service. Since retirement, he has provided independent consulting services in defense related matters.