Brigadier General Walter Lee Miller, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in Dec 1979 via the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He completed The Basic School (TBS) and Infantry Officer's Course in Oct 1980 and was assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines. There he served as commander for both rifle and weapons platoons, as well as the B Company Executive Officer. He was later assigned to the battalion's operations section completing his tour in Oct 1983. His next assignment was to TBS where he held both Staff Platoon Commander and tactics instructor billets from 1983 to 1986.