Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36 Commanding Officer Dismissed

The commanding officer of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, based in Okinawa, Japan, was relieved of his duties on Wednesday. Lt. Col. Calischaran G. James was dismissed by Maj. Gen. Marcus B. Annibale, the commanding general of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, due to a “loss of trust and confidence” in his ability to lead, according to a Marine Corps announcement.

Military services often cite “loss of trust and confidence” when dismissing senior leadership, though specifics regarding the reasons for James’ removal have not been disclosed. A request for additional information from the Marine Corps had not been returned by the time of publication. In the announcement, Maj. Joseph Butterfield, a spokesman for the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, emphasized that “commanders are held to the highest standards of conduct and must consistently live above reproach.” He added that this decision underscores the Marine Corps’ commitment to maintaining trust and confidence, which are essential for effective leadership.

Calischaran G. James, originally from the Caribbean island of Dominica, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1998 and was commissioned as an officer in 2006 after completing the Enlisted Commissioning Program. His achievements include being named the recipient of the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Earle Hattaway Ground Officer of the Year Award in 2020. He took command of MALS-36 in May 2024.

Following James’ dismissal, Lt. Col. Ryan T. Iden has been appointed as the interim commanding officer until a permanent replacement is selected. Iden has a long history with the Marine Corps, having enlisted in 1997 as an infantryman and earning his commission in 2008 after rising to the rank of gunnery sergeant.

James’ removal is part of a broader pattern of leadership changes within the Marine Corps. Just days prior, on October 28, 2023, the commanding officer, executive officer, and senior enlisted leader of the Hawaii-based Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 were also dismissed, citing a similar loss of trust in their ability to enforce safety and readiness standards. This trend highlights ongoing efforts within the Marine Corps to ensure accountability and uphold standards of leadership across its ranks.