Chain of Command

CO: Capt McCollum, Michaiah M XO:1stLt Altomari, Matthew J
CO. 1ST SGT: 1stSgt. Griffin, Joseph R GY SGT: GySgt. Carlson, Isaac J

Commanding Officer Biography
Captain McCollum, Michaiah M

Captain McCollum was born September 12, 1975 in Sacramento, California.  He enlisted in the United States Army on November 4th, 1994 and reported to Fort McClellan, Alabama for basic training.  Upon graduation of Basic Training, Military Police School, and Basic Airborne School, he was assigned to the 21st Military Police Company (ABN), 503rd MP BN (ABN) Fort Bragg, NC where he served as an M60 machine gunner, and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class.  In February 1996 his platoon deployed for six months to Soto Cano, Air Base, Honduras, Central America as part of Joint Task Force Bravo.  In December 1996 he completed Special Reaction Team (SRT) School and became a member of the Fort Bragg SRT, In December of 1997 to December 1998 he was assigned to 8th U.S. Army Republic of South Korea and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  He held the billets of team leader and squad leader.  December 1998 he returned to CONUS and was assigned to the 118th MP Company (ABN), 503rd MP BN (ABN) Fort Bragg, NC.  In February 1999 his platoon deployed for six months to Panama C.A. and then to Soto Cano, Air Base, Honduras, C.A. as part of Joint Task Force Bravo in support of OPERATION GRACIAS ADIOS Hurricane Mitch flood relief and multiple joint operations with DEA and 7th Special Forces in narcotic eradication, and supported SOUTHCOM in its move from Panama, C.A. to CONUS.  During the deployment he conducted bi-lateral training earning the Honduran, El Salvadorian, and Guatemalan Army Parachutists badges as well as the Mexican Marine Parachutist badge. 

 

In February 2000 he joined the Army Reserves and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 311th Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, NC while simultaneously serving as a police officer in Lillington, NC.   Following the attacks of 9/11 Staff Sergeant McCollum was sent to the Phoenix Raven Course where upon completion received orders to serve 12 months on active duty in support of OPERATION NOBEL EAGLE.   In August 2003 he was promoted to Sergeant First Class and applied for the Marine Corps Commissioning Program OCC.  After completing the Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer’s course he made a lateral transfer into the United States Marine Corps Reserve until January of 2004 when he entered Officer Candidate School at Quantico, VA. 

 

On 26 March of 2004 he was commissioned in the Marine Corps.  Upon completion of The Basic School, and Infantry Officer Course he was assigned to Anti-Terrorism Battalion, 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, NC as a Rifle Platoon Commander.  In June 2005 his platoon certified as an Expeditionary Security Guard force and deployed to Israel June of 2005 for the bi-lateral Israel and U.S. counter terrorism training exercise OPERATION NOBEL SHIRLEY.  In September of 2005 he deployed to Iraq with his platoon until April of 2006.  He volunteered for an individual augment as a Platoon Commander with 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment and in September of 2006 he deployed to Fallujah Iraq where he simultaneously command both a rifle platoon and a weapons platoon.  Following the deployment he was assigned as the Assistant Operations Officer for 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines. 

 

Capt McCollum executed orders June 2007 to Marine Combat Training Battalion (MCT), School of Infantry (WEST) where he served two cycles as the India Company Executive Officer.  Capt McCollum assumed Commanded of Golf Company September 2007 and was frocked to Captain.  From September 2008 until October 2009 Capt McCollum served as the Instructor Group OIC until October 2009 when he took command as the Headquarters and Instructor Company Commander, with additional responsibility as the curriculum administrator.  During this time he participated in the rewrite review of the MCCS Volume 1, the Curriculum Course Review Board (CCRB) for the Infantry Training and Readiness manual, introduction of combat casualty care under fire, and revised combat hunter into the program of instruction. 

 

Captain McCollum was selected for resident Professional Military Education (PME) and was ordered to Fort Benning, Georgia in September 2011 and completed the Maneuver Captains Career Course.  In March of 2011 Capt McCollum reported to V27 where he assumed command of Golf Company (MECHANIZED) and deployed in support of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and participated in a bi-lateral U.S. and Australian training exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2011.  Capt McCollum assumed command of Headquarters and Service Company on 7 December 2011.

 

Captain McCollum’s personal awards include: Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing “V” device, gold star in lieu of second award, Army Commendation Medal second oak leaf cluster in lieu of third award, Joint Service Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal with second oak leaf clusters in lieu of third award, Humanitarian Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Badge. 

1st Sergeant Biography
1ST SGT Joseph R. Griffin

Joseph R. Griffin enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1992 and completed recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina.  After completing Marine Combat Training, Basic Helicopter Course, and H1 Power trains, Rotors and Related Systems Organizational Maintenance Course, he was assigned MOS 6114, UH-AH Helicopter Mechanic.

In December 1992, LCpl Griffin reported to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, Marine Aircraft Group 26, MCAS New River, for duty as a Helicopter Mechanic.  In January 1994, Lance Corporal Griffin deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to Somalia to participate in Operation Continue Hope and Operation Quick Draw.   

In August 1994 Lance Corporal Griffin deployed, again, with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to Haiti for Operation Restore Democracy.    In August 1995, Corporal Griffin Deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Adriatic Sea, to participate in Operation Deny Flight and Joint/Decisive Endeavor.

In February, 1996 Sergeant Griffin assumed the duties as the Flight Line Division Work Center Supervisor and later Flight Line Division Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge.  In August, 1997, Sergeant Griffin was assigned to the Quality Assurance Division.

In February 1998, Sergeant Griffin reported for duty as an MOS School Instructor, at Fleet Replacement Enlisted Skills Training (FREST), MCAS Camp Pendleton, where he served as a Podium Instructor, Instructor Evaluator, and Master Training Specialist.

In January, 2002, Staff Sergeant Griffin reported to the Basic Recruiter’s Course, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California.

In April, 2002, Staff Sergeant Griffin reported for duty as a Canvassing Recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Warner Robins, Recruiting Station, Atlanta.  While assigned to Recruiting Station Atlanta, Staff Sergeant Griffin held the billets of Canvassing Recruiter and Recruiting Sub-Station Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge.

In May, 2005, Gunnery Sergeant Griffin reported for duty with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, Camp Pendleton, where he served as Maintenance Material Control Chief.  During his tour as Maintenance Material Control Chief, Gunnery Sergeant Griffin deployed twice to Al Anbar Province, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In May 2008, First Sergeant Griffin assumed his present rank and was assigned as the Company First Sergeant of Military Police Company, Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

In April 2010, First Sergeant Griffin reported for duty as H&S Company, 1st Tank Battalion First Sergeant.

In April 2011, after completing Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, 1stSgt Griffin assumed his current billet as H&S Company 1stSgt, 2/7.   

First Sergeant Griffin’s awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star in lieu of subsequent award and the Good Conduct Medal with one silver star.

   

     
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