Dennis Hejlik

Dennis Hejlik
Lieutenant General Dennis J. Hejlik
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1968-1972 (enlisted) 1975-2012 (officer)
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands held	1st Battalion 2nd Marines Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Forces Command (MARFORCOM) United States Marine Corps Forces, Europe
Battles/wars	Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom
Awards	Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit

Lieutenant General Dennis J. Hejlik, USMC was the commanding general of United States Marine Corps Forces, Europe and United States Marine Corps Forces Command. Until early 2008, Hejlik commanded the newly established Marine Special Operations Command.

Hejlik, a native of Garner, Iowa, enlisted in 1968, rising to the rank of sergeant before accepting honorable discharge in 1972 to pursue education. He graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1975, returning to the Marines as a second lieutenant through the Platoon Leaders Class Program.

As a commissioned officer, Hejlik has had commands at the platoon, company, and battalion, brigade, and corps levels. He has also served as a tactics instructor at the Amphibious Warfare School. The Marine Barracks in Washington, DC came under his command in 1997. While there, Hejlik barred the Marines under his command from a number of gay bars in the city in an attempt to curb antagonism between Marines and the gay community. In 1999, he was appointed as Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.