Native of Bryantown, Maryland. Major Alger holds a B.A. in Mathematics with minor in Electrical Engineering from The Citadel, a M.B.A. from Ashford University (now University of Arizona Global Campus), and a M.S. in Management and Master’s Certificate in Data Science from the Naval Postgraduate School. He commissioned in May of 2008.
Following The Basic School and Field Artillery Basic Course, he reported to 1st Battalion, 10th Marines where he was assigned to Battery A, 1/10 in June 2009. During this assignment, Major Alger served a short time as a Forward Observer before taking over Gun’s Platoon as the Assistant Executive Officer. While still a Second Lieutenant, Major Alger was assigned as the Battery’s Executive Officer where he remained through the deployment. In May 2010 he was promoted to First Lieutenant. The Battalion deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 10.1 and Major Alger commanded a firing position in southern Afghanistan supporting (3) separate infantry battalions at any one time. After a successful tour the Battalion returned to CONUS in May of 2011. Due to the early rotation of his Battery Commander, Major Alger was appointed as Acting Battery Commander for 5 weeks following the deployment. Upon turning over the Battery, Major Alger was moved to HQ Battery where he became the S-4a and then the S-4 for the remainder of his time in the unit.
Taking advantage of a hot-fill billet, Major Alger received orders to 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Camp Lejeune in December of 2011. After completion of Tactical Air Control Party Course, he became a Fire Power Control Team (FCT) Leader. He deployed in May 2012 to support British Advisors from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, part of the Brigade Advisor Group (BAG). He was promoted to the rank of Captain in August 2012. His team supported in this role until the Company redeployed in August 2012 at which time he extended and was sent to the Regional Targeting Cell for Regional Command Southwest. He served as a duty Joint Terminal Attack Controller conducting dynamic targeting on High Value Targets for the C-3 FECC where he remained until redeployment in December 2012. In April 2013, he took his team to Morocco for Exercise African Lion ‘13, a 14th Marines Exercise that included 25th Marine Regiment and 3rd Force Reconnaissance. In September 2013, Major Alger again led a FCT accompanying Georgian Liaison Team 11 providing fires for Alpha Company, 31st Georgian Light Infantry Battalion (GLIB) back to Helmand Province, Afghanistan until redeployment in May of 2014.
In June 2014, Major Alger reported to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines and took command of Headquarters Battery, 1/11. After serving as Battery Commander from August 2014 through September 2015, he assumed the role of Assistant Fire Support Coordinator from 1/11 to 1st Marine Regiment. In January 2016, Major Alger chopped to SPMAGTF – Central Command – Crisis Response in the role of Build Partnership Capacity Team Lead for Fires. He deployed in April 2016 to Al Taqaddum (TQ) Air Base, Iraq directly assigned to Task Force TQ. After a brief time as the watch officer he became the TFTQ Liaison to Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation INHERENT RESOLVE (CJFLCC-OIR) in Baghdad where he served on the JOC watch floor as the TFTQ Commander’s direct representative to the CJFLCC Headquarters. Following redeployment in December 2016, Major Alger returned to 11th Marine Regiment as the regimental S-3A.
In June 2017, Major Alger reported to Naval Postgraduate School and conducted his studies in the Manpower Systems Analysis curriculum until graduation in March 2019. During this time he was promoted to his current grade. Upon completion of NPS, Major Alger received orders to Manpower Management Division of M&RA.
In April 2019, Major Alger was briefly assigned to the Records and Performance Branch (MMRP) assisting with the fielding and development of the new Junior Enlisted Performance Evaluation System (JEPES). In August 2019, Major Alger was assigned to his current billet in the Integration Branch (MMIB) as the Enlisted Staffing Goal Model Manager where he primarily provided all enlisted monitors with their assignments targets while remaining heavily involved in process and IT modernization efforts. During this period Major Alger complete Operations and Tactics Instructors Course earning the 0577 MOS.
Major Alger checked into 5/11 and served at the battalion logistics officer before deploying on his IA. He deployed to support Special Operations Central Command (SOCCENT) Forward with the Over the Horizon Counter Terrorism for Afghanistan Headquarters (later renamed Special Operations Joint Task Force – Central). Deploying as a J-5 Planner, Major Alger was soon called on to fill the role as the Deputy J-5. Upon his return he finished up time in the S-4 before taking over his current position as the Battalion Executive Officer.
Major Alger is a 2015 graduate of Expeditionary Warfare School Distance Education Program and 2018 graduate of Command and Staff College Distance Education Program. His personal awards include: the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of third award, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Honorable Order of St Barbara.
Major Alger is married to the former Ms. Marget (Maggie) Garner of Bel Alton, Maryland. They have a daughter Larissa (7) and son David (3) and reside in Oceanside, California.