Join Stanford's Shorenstein APARC China Program as we welcome U.S. Marine Corps Major General William Bowers, who will present on the advanced Naval bases of U.S. military forces in the Indo-Pacific, and their role in maintaining deterrence and allied security in the region.

As the Commanding General of Marine Corps Installations Pacific from 2019 to 2022, Major General Bowers oversaw all U.S. Marine Corps bases in the Pacific Area of Operations, supporting the largest U.S. military expeditionary force in the theater.  Currently, Bowers heads the Marine Corps’ Recruiting Command, where he overhauled the Corps’ recruiting, leading to record enlistment and retention.

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Major General Bowers was commissioned in 1990 after graduating with distinction from Virginia Military Institute with a B.A. in History.  He assumed command of Marine Corps Recruiting Command in July 2022 during a time of historic change and challenge for recruiting.  In September 2023, General Bowers led a “Strategy Conference” here at Stanford University in which members of the Stanford community partnered with Marine Corps Recruiting Command to develop and launch the “Made for This” advertising campaign focused on enduring American values.  Major General Bowers' personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (with gold star), the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with two gold stars), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.  He was named “Combat Engineer Officer of the Year” in 1998 and has received several writing awards.