Colonel Went assumed duty as Chief of Staff, 1st Marine Brigade, Hawaii, in April 1976. While serving in this capacity, he was selected in February 1978 for promotion to brigadier general. He assumed duty as Deputy Fiscal Director of the Marine Corps on 1 April 1978 and was advanced to brigadier general on 1 August 1978. In June 1980, he was assigned duty as Commanding General, 3rd Force Service Support Group (Rein), FMF, Pacific, Okinawa, Japan. He was advanced to major general on 2 June 1982 and assigned duty as Commanding General, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, FMF, Pacific, Okinawa, Japan. MajGen Went served in this capacity until May 1983. On 6 June 1983, he was assigned duty as the Deputy Commander, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii. During June 1984, MajGen Went reported to Headquarters Marine Corps where he was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserve Affairs. On 6 June 1985, he became Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics and was promoted to lieutenant general on 1 August 1985.