 In July 2001, Ghormley took command of the Marine Expeditionary Brigade based in Okinawa in Japan, as well as the Expeditionary Strike Group of the U.S.Seventh Fleet.In 2003 he became the Director of Manpower Plans & Policy Division of the Marine Corps, and between May 2005 and February 2006, Ghormley commanded the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.