Lieutenant Colonel Fairfield is a native of Atlantic, Iowa. He graduated from of Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and commissioned via the Officer Candidate Course in 2008.
He’s had the privilege of leading Marines and joint servicemembers in multiple formations: Rifle Platoon Commander, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines (1/1) during a western Pacific deployment with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU); Combined Anti-Armor Team Platoon Commander, Weapons Company 1/1 during Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand Province, Afghanistan; Officer in Charge, Special Training Branch, I MEF Expeditionary Operations Training Group; Alpha Company Commander, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion where he deployed as the Maritime Raid Force Commander for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit; Commanding Officer, Recruiting Station Frederick, Maryland; and Company Commander and deployed Team Leader for units supporting Joint Task Forces abroad. He assumes command of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion in June of 2023.
His staff assignments include Operations Officer, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, and Executive Officer, Marine Raider Training Center, Marine Special Operations Command.
He is an honor graduate of the Basic Reconnaissance Course and a distinguished graduate of non-resident Marine Corps Command and Staff College and Expeditionary Warfare School Blended Seminar.