Elliott, Craig A., LtCol

Aircraft Maintenance
 
 Service Photo 
 Service Details
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Service Status
USMC Retired
Final Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Last MOS
6004-Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Officer
Last MOSGroup
Aircraft Maintenance
Previously Held MOS's
6015-Aircraft Mechanic, AV-8/TAV-8
6025-Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic, Rolls Royce Pegasus
8156-Marine Security Guard
6035-Aircraft Power Plants Test Cell Operator, Fixed Wing
Primary Unit
2018-2021, 6004, 4th Marine Airwing (4th MAW)
Service Years
1988 - 2021
Other Languages
Arabic-Standard
Japanese
Spanish
Swahili
Official/Unofficial USMC Certificates
Certificate of Commendation
Desert Rat
Cold War Certificate
Meritorious Mast
Shellback Certificate
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom
Persian Excursion
Iwo Jima Certificate
Lieutenant Colonel


 Ribbon Bar
Rifle MarksmanPistol Marksman

 

 Official Badges 

Black Belt USMC Retired Pin (30 Years) US Marines Corps Honorable Discharge


 Unofficial Badges 

Cold War Medal Shellback Persian Excursion Casualty Escort

Cold War


 Military Associations and Other Affiliations
United Services Automobile Association (USAA)Marine Corps Mustang AssociationMilitary Officers Association of America (MOAA)Chapter 15
  1997, United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
  2002, Marine Corps Mustang Association
  2020, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
  2021, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter 15 (Life Member) (New Orleans, Louisiana)


 Additional Information
Other Comments:



   

 Enlisted/Officer Basic Training
  1988, Boot Camp (San Diego, CA), G/2119
  1988, Boot Camp (San Diego, CA), G/2019
  1989, Boot Camp (San Diego, CA), 2119
  2002, The Basic School (Quantico, VA), I/1
  2002, Warrant Officer Basic Course (Quantico, VA), I/1
 Unit Assignments
Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 (VMAT-203)Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 (MALS-13)Marine Attack Squadron 513 (VMA-513)15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)
Marine Security Guard (MSG)Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 (MALS-12)Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG)-21, NAS Pensacola FLMarine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161)
Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26)Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29)Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMH-161)Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 (MWHS-1), 1st Marine Airwing (1st MAW)
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 (MALS-11)Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101)Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 (MALS-16)Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 49 (MALS-49)
4th Marine Airwing (4th MAW)
  1989-1989, 6025, Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 (VMAT-203)
  1989-1990, 6025, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 (MALS-13)
  1990-1991, 6015, Marine Attack Squadron 513 (VMA-513)
  1991-1991, 6015, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)
  1991-1992, 6025, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 (MALS-13)
  1992-1993, 8156, Marine Security Guard Detachment (MSG) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  1993-1995, 8156, Marine Security Guard Detachment (MSG) Quito, Ecuador
  1995-1997, 6035, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 (MALS-13)
  1997-1999, 6035, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 (MALS-13)
  1999-2002, 6035, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 (MALS-12)
  2002-2002, 6004, Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG)-21, NAS Pensacola FL
  2002-2003, 6004, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161)
  2003-2004, 6004, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)
  2005-2006, 6004, Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26)
  2006-2007, 6004, Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29)
  2007-2007, 6004, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMH-161)
  2007-2010, 6004, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 (MWHS-1), 1st Marine Airwing (1st MAW)
  2010-2011, 6004, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 (MALS-11)
  2011-2012, 6004, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101)
  2012-2012, 6004, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 (MALS-11)
  2012-2013, 6004, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 (MALS-16)
  2013-2013, 6004, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 (MALS-11)
  2013-2016, 6004, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 (MALS-16)
  2016-2018, 6004, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 49 (MALS-49)
  2018-2021, 6004, 4th Marine Airwing (4th MAW)
 Combat and Non-Combat Operations
  1990-1990 Gulf War/Defense of Saudi Arabia/Operation Desert Shield
  1991-1991 Gulf War/Liberation and Defense of Kuwait/Operation Desert Storm
  1991-1991 Operation Sea Angel 1991
  1991-1991 Operation Provide Comfort (Iraq)
  2001-2014 Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)
  2003-2003 OIF/Liberation of Iraq (2003)/Push to Baghdad
  2004-2004 OIF/Iraqi Governance (2004-05)
  2004-2005 OIF/Iraqi Governance (2004-05)
  2007-2008 OIF/Iraqi Surge (2007-08)
  2012-2012 OEF-Afghanistan/Transition I (2011-14)


 Remembrance Profiles - 2 Marines Remembered
  • Dixon, Kelly, Sgt, (1991-1994)
  • Jones, Kenneth, SgtMaj, (1980-2007)

Reflections on LtCol Elliott's US Marine Corps Service
 
 Reflections On My Service
 
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
My biggest influence for joining the Marine Corps was/is my Uncle Don (GySgt Donald Craig, Retired). From the first time I ever saw him in his Blues, I knew that was what I wanted to do.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
-Enlisted (Pvt thru GySgt) 1988-2002
-Warrant Officer (WO thru CWO3) 2002-2007
-Limited Duty Officer (Capt) 2007-Present
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Each of my Combat Tours were significant in that they provided me with unique insights that I could not have obtained otherwise.
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
MSG Detachment Quito Ecuador. I absolutely loved Ecuador and the fact that I met and married my wife there was a sure clincher.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The day I was promoted to Corporal. We didn't have name tapes back then and just walking back to the Barracks from work I was greeted by 3 separate Marines "Good Morning Corporal". That day will always stand out in my memories.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
The Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia). It is a very distinct looking medal and as it was my first experience in a combat situation, it has great significance to me.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
LtCol Daniel Westphal (6004 LDO). Although I was only fortunate enough to have worked for him for a little over 2 years, his impact on my leadership style is immense. His knowledge, experience and mentorship are priceless.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I am currently the Production Control Officer for MALS-11 in Miramar.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
My military service has increased my understanding of today's world, even the job market and situation on the Civilian Side.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Make yourself marketable. By ensuring that you do everything the Marine Corps expects, and then MORE, you ensure that you are competitive when promotions/reenlistments come due.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
LtCol Craig Elliott (Google) - In what ways has TogetherWeServed.com helped you remember your military service and the friends you served with.
TWS and the US MARINES
It has provided me with a conduit for reconnecting with others from years gone by. There are too many people on Facebook with similar names to realistically track down those that had an impact on your career, but TWS makes that easy.

*J*

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