Lieutenant General James B. Laster, USMC (Retired)
President and CEO, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
Lieutenant General Laster retired from active duty in December 2017 and joined the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation as Executive Vice President in January of 2019 — becoming the President & CEO in January of 2020.
Lieutenant General Laster is a native of Dallas, Texas, and graduated from both the high school and Junior College divisions. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1978 through the Platoon Leaders Course Program. Upon completion of The Basic School, he reported to 3d Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, where he served as a rifle platoon commander and rifle company executive officer. In January 1981, he transferred to Marine Barracks, Washington, DC where he served as a platoon commander, company executive officer, and White House Social Aide.
In November 1983, Lieutenant General Laster was assigned to 7th Marines and served two years as a rifle company commander, one year as weapons company commander in 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, and completed his tour as the regimental assistant operations officer.
In December 1987, Lieutenant General Laster attended the Army Airborne School and Advanced Infantry Officers Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was a Distinguished Graduate. He transferred to 25th Marines in 1989 and assumed duties as Inspector Instructor for Company A, 1stBn, 25th Marines, and served as the I-I Operations Officer for 25th Marine Regiment. In May 1991, Lieutenant General Laster was assigned as Aide-de-Camp to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General C. E. Mundy, Jr. He subsequently attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College and graduated with distinction.
Returning to the Fleet Marine Force in June 1993, he commanded Headquarters and Service Company, I MEF, and Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Intelligence Group. In January 1995, he assumed duties as Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines and deployed to the Arabian Gulf with the 15th MEU (SOC). During this assignment, he also served as Commander, Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF), 15th MEU (SOC).
In August 1996, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assumed duties as Operations Officer, and deployed again to the Arabian Gulf/CENTCOM AOR. In November 1997, he was assigned as Deputy AC/S G-7 and Inspector, 1st Marine Division. During the period January to March 1998, Lieutenant General Laster deployed to Africa as J-3 of Joint Task Force Kenya in support of Operation Noble Response, Humanitarian Relief operations in Kenya, East Africa. Lieutenant General Laster assumed command of 3d Battalion, 4th Marines in May 1998 and moved the battalion to Twentynine Palms, California. He relinquished command in 2000 and was transferred to the National War College.
Upon completion of the National War College in June 2001, he was promoted to Colonel and was assigned to the Joint Staff as Chief of War Plans, J-7. Following the events of September 11th, he assumed duties in the Joint Staff J-3 as Assistant Chief, Future Operations Group. From 2003 to 2005, Lieutenant General Laster commanded The Basic School, and then assumed duties as Chief of Staff, Training and Education Command.
Lieutenant General Laster commanded Training Command during May 2006 to November 2007 and served as Commanding General of Training and Education Command during December 2007 to May 2008. He assumed command of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, and Eastern Recruiting Region on 30 May 2008. In August 2009, he assumed command of 3d Marine Division. He served from 2011 to 2012 in Afghanistan as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Joint Operations, ISAF Joint Command. In 2012, he assumed duties as Chief of Staff of United States Special Operations Command.
Lieutenant General Laster retired from active duty in December 2017 having served those years as Director of the Marine Corps Staff.
Lieutenant General Laster joined the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation in January 2019 as Executive Vice President — becoming the President and CEO in January 2020.
Lieutenant General Laster is a graduate of New Mexico Military Institute and Southwest Texas State University and holds a Master of Science degree in National Strategy from National War College. He was awarded the Leftwich Trophy in 1989 for outstanding leadership.
