Robert F. Castellvi

Major General Robert F. Castellvi is currently the commander of the 1st Marine Division which is based in Camp Pendleton.

He is also an Ex-Officio Member at the North Carolina Military Affairs Full Commission which is in Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Career
He was formerly the commanding officer of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

Robert F. Castellvi has participated in Operation Earnest Will in the Persian Gulf with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 1985, Operation Inherent Resolve as the deputy commanding general for operations, Operation RESTORE HOPE, and Operation Desert Storm. In March 22, 2017, the Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis nominated Robert F. Castellvi to the rank of Major General while he was a deputy commanding general of the II Marine Expeditionary Force. He was the commander of Marine Corps Installations East from July 12, 2013 to August 6, 2017. He was also a director of the Manpower Management Division.

While serving as the commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, Castellvi relieved Lt. Col. Francisco Zavala, the commanding officer of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. Castellvi relieved Zavala on May 7, 2019 for "loss of trust and confidence" in the commander's ability to lead the battalion.

Defense media outlet Task & Purpose later reported that Zavala had been relieved because of "credible allegations of domestic violence," against his spouse. At the time of his relief, Castellvi did not charge Zavala with any violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, even after the conclusion of a command investigation conducted at the 1st Marine Division. After his relief, Castellvi transferred Zavala to I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Castellvi later charged Zavala with assault, destruction of property, making false official statements and conduct unbecoming an officer. Castellvi made Zavala aware of these charges on August 8, 2019, and the 1st Marine Division released the charge sheet to the public on September 16, 2019.

Education
Major General Castellvi is a graduate of the University of Illinois where he earned his Marine Corps commission through the NROTC program. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advance Course. He has graduated at Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the School of Advanced Warfighting, as well as the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He has also earned master's degrees from the Marine Corps University, the National Defense University, and Capitol College.

Awards and decorations
Major General Robert F. Castellvi is the recipient of the following awards:
 * 1993 recipient of the Leftwich Trophy for leadership
 * Combat Action Ribbon, 2nd award.svgt Action Ribbon with one Gold Star
 * Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svgse Superior Service Medal
 * Legion of Merit ribbon.svgn of Merit with one Gold Star
 * Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svge Star Medal with V device
 * Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svgorious Service Medal with three Gold Stars
 * Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ribbon.svge Corps Commendation Medal
 * Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Commendation Medal
 * Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal ribbon.svg US Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two Gold Stars