Adam Blair

Adam Blair grew up on a farm in West Central Minnesota and enlisted in the Marines in 2001 at age 17. He served in a Scout Sniper Platoon from 2002 to 2006, participating in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 as part of Regimental Combat Team 5. Adam deployed to Iraq again in 2004, participating in the fight to secure Ramadi.

Since leaving the Marines, Adam has worked in business sales and development while continuing to be involved with the family farm. He now serves as the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation.

Adam and his wife Cassie have been married since 2004 and have four children.

Tony Clark

Tony Clark served as a United States Marine, a scout sniper, and a scout sniper instructor. After graduating from the 1st Marine Division Scout Sniper Basic Course and Scout Sniper Instructors Course at MCB Quantico, Tony was a scout sniper with STA Platoon, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. He later served as Chief Scout Sniper and, briefly, as acting platoon sergeant. He was a Scout Sniper Instructor for Class 3-86 and Class 1-87 at 1st Marine Division Schools.

Tony is now an Arizona State University professor with a PhD in American Studies. He offers interdisciplinary classes in combat trauma, U.S. military history, and war and popular culture. He also administers the course-embedded Sergeant Major Gilbert “Hashmark” Johnson Undergraduate Peer Mentoring Collaborative that works with military veteran undergraduates on leveraging their small unit leadership skills as transferable assets during transitions through higher education to second careers.

His multidisciplinary research program in military and veteran studies is focused on understanding modern forms of vetphobia and vetphobic microaggressions — assaults, insults, and/or invalidations that dehumanize, objectify, demean, trivialize, and lampoon military veterans. In the coming 2–3 years, he hopes to launch a Marine scout sniper oral history project that parallels development of the Fallen Marine Scout Sniper War Memorial.

Tony has served as Chief Administrative Officer and Vice President of History and Education for the USMC Scout Sniper Association since 2022. He now additionally serves as Chief Administrative Officer for the Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation.

Anthony Cunha

Anthony joined the Marine Corps after graduating high school and was boots on the ground at Parris Island, South Carolina in September 2002. After completing the School of Infantry, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment in April 2003 and immediately began a work-up for deployment to Afghanistan to help secure the American Embassy there.

After that initial deployment, Anthony tried out for the 3/2 STA Platoon indoctrination and made the cut. He returned to Afghanistan for another deployment safeguarding the Embassy, this time attached to Lima Company as part of the Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Platoon.

Upon returning stateside, 3/2 immediately began work-up for a deployment to Iraq in 2005. The unit had been part of the initial liberation of Iraq in early 2003. Anthony was stationed on the Syrian border in the Al Anbar Province of Western Iraq. He was attached to India Company in the small town of Husaybah. His unit conducted combat operations in the immediate area, overseeing the border town, eliminating targets of opportunity from a distance, conducting riverine operations to interdict foreign fighters utilizing the Euphrates River, and participating in Operations Matador and Spear. Anthony returned home from Iraq in late 2005. He remained with 3/2 for some time to help train the new platoon and exited the Marine Corps in 2006.

Anthony lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife and two daughters. He now works in property management and serves as an assistant softball coach and head soccer coach for his girls. Anthony is honored to serve on this board and work toward building a monument to memorialize all fallen Marine Corps Scout Snipers. Semper Fi!

Tim Parkhurst

Tim Parkhurst is founding president of the Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation (MSSHF), the organization charged with remembering the many sacrifices and honoring the 105-plus year legacy of Marine Scout Snipers. He previously served as a director at USMC Scout Sniper Association (SSA) for six years, and as its president for more than four years.

Tim originally hails from Kansas City, growing up in a military family with a strong legacy of service. After graduating from the Marine Military Academy in 1986, Tim (naturally) chose to become a Marine and began a 25-year career spanning four wars, service in all four Marine Divisions, and with some of the most storied units in the Corps. While Tim served as a Scout Sniper for only a few short years as a young NCO, that experience laid the foundation upon which his career was built. Tim and Leony, his wife of 32 years, now call western North Carolina home and enjoy keeping up with their two grown daughters and three grandchildren.

Since retiring from active service in 2014, Tim has worked with several non-profit veteran organizations in all-volunteer capacities. He eventually “came home” to the Scout Sniper community in 2018 and made great strides in improving corporate governance and increasing the charitable capacity of SSA. In mid-2021, Tim and another director had a conversation that proved to be the genesis of the Scout Sniper War Memorial concept and the Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation.

It was pointed out that no memorial exists anywhere in the world specifically to honor Marine Scout Snipers killed in action in service to our nation. Since SSA is the only non-profit membership organization for Marine Scout Snipers in the world, Tim and the rest of SSA’s leadership team felt it was incumbent upon them to do something about it. After much discussion, it was determined that SSA’s all-volunteer board of directors simply wouldn’t have the bandwidth necessary to do justice to the scope of work required to build a world-class memorial. And so, Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation was born.

Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation is a fully-independent subsidiary of USMC Scout Sniper Association with its own leadership, tax exemption, revenue and banking. Founded in May 2023, MSSHF received its 501(c)(3) designation a mere four days after making application to the IRS. While the SSA board of directors led MSSHF in its infancy, Tim Parkhurst was appointed its founding president in January 2024 and was charged with recruiting a talented group of volunteers to serve as Directors. A fully functional, independent board of directors was appointed in March 2024. MSSHF continues to make great strides toward our goal of creating a world-class memorial to honor our war dead, and the ongoing mission to “Remember the Sacrifice and Honor the Legacy.”

Col Jeffrey Buffa

Gunner Alex Carrillo

Alex Carrillo is a founding director of the Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation (MSSHF). He is also a charter member of the USMC Scout Sniper Association (SSA) and has worked with various veteran-focused organizations in the past, including serving as a Veterans Services Officer (VSO) for the State of Nevada.

Alex grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin, and entered service in 1991, beginning a 27-year career in the Marine Corps. He graduated from Scout Sniper School in 1993 and went on to serve as a Scout Sniper in three infantry battalions, holding every billet from point man to Platoon Sergeant. Alex also served as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC) and Chief Instructor of the Marine Corps Mountain Scout Sniper Course (MSSC) at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC), Bridgeport, California.

In 2018, after 27 years of service, 11 deployments, and over 100 firefights in foreign lands, Alex retired as a Marine Gunner—which he considers the pinnacle of the Infantryman’s craft.

Upon retirement, Alex and his wife Amber settled at their home in northern Nevada, where they keep busy tending their livestock, packing into the Eastern Sierra mountains in the summer, and running firearms and saddlery businesses.

Col Gregory Jones

Colonel Gregory L. Jones, USMC (Ret) is a graduate of The Citadel and a career infantry officer. He served in both 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions, Indo-PACOM, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, and Training Command. He is a graduate of the Infantry Captains Career Course, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the Air War College.

Col Jones’ command assignments included: Platoon Commander, Lima Company, V36 (22d MEU-SOC); Company Commander, Headquarters Company, 6th Marines; Company Commander, Alpha Company, V17 (OIF); Commanding Officer, Recruiting Station Cleveland, Ohio; Commanding Officer, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-East; Commanding Officer, Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division; Commanding Officer, Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico, VA.

Col Jones’ staff assignments included: Officer Candidates School (various billets); Assistant Operations Officer, V17 (OIF); Operations Officer, V17 (OIF); Executive Officer, Detachment 2, Joint POW-MIA Accounting Command (stationed in Hanoi, Vietnam); Operations Officer, 8th Marines; Operations Officer, Task Force South West 18.2 (OEF); Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff G-3, 2d Marine Division; Assistant Chief of Staff G-3, 2d Marine Division; Chief of Staff, 2d Marine Division.

Colonel Jones’ personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (Gold Star in Lieu of Second Award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star in Lieu of Fourth Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star in Lieu of Second Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Recently retired from military service, Col Jones now works as the Chief Operating Officer of G-Code Tactical, a tactical holster and equipment company. G-Code is a veteran-owned, small business that operates out of Burgaw, NC. Col Jones also recently accepted a position on the Board of Directors for Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation.

Colonel Jones is married to his wife of 26 years, Nikki, and has three children.

Mike Morrell

Mike Morrell joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17 and attended recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon entering the Fleet, he served as an infantryman and radio operator. After completing the Surveillance and Target Acquisition indoctrination, Mike served as a scout sniper with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He later served as a scout sniper team leader with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

Mike has been in telecommunications for over 20 years and has served in several roles, most recently in the 911 industry as a crisis management leader. He has volunteered as an EMT and as a member of St. Mark’s Church in Philadelphia, where he and his family have supported the Saturday soup kitchen. Mike has also been active in youth sports, volunteering as a coach and supporter for soccer, softball, baseball, and fencing.

In addition to his memberships in the American Legion, Marine Corps League, and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mike is truly grateful for the opportunity to serve as a member of the Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation board of directors. He is honored to help memorialize and preserve the legacy of those who have gone before us.

Mike lives in South Jersey with his wonderful wife, Renice, their four children, and two Jack Russells.

Ryan Niederman

Steven Norton

Steven Norton is a founding member of the Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation (MSSHF) and currently serves as the Director of Archival Research. Steven served in the Marines as an 0311 Rifleman and currently resides in Ohio with his two teenage sons.

After his discharge, Steven developed a profound passion for Marine Corps history as a way to maintain a connection to the community. Over the past two decades, he has conducted extensive research at various regional and national archival locations across the country, compiling a significant portfolio of Marine Corps research. His work focuses primarily on the historical weapons of the Corps, but also covers the men, units, training, and employment spanning more than a century of Marine Corps history.

His goal is to establish a digital archive to facilitate wider access and education. In addition to his archival efforts, Steven is actively seeking Marines who have preserved personal documentation from their time in service. If you have documents or photographs that could enrich the history of the Scout Snipers, please feel free to email him via the provided link.

Col Kevin Root

Kevin Root is a native of Binghamton, NY and enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 1989. He attended 2d Marine Division Scout Sniper School in 1992 while assigned to 2d Marines Regimental Scout Platoon. He was honorably discharged as an infantryman and scout sniper in 1993. He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1997 and was commissioned in the Marine Corps in April of 1998. He attended The Basic School, Infantry Officer Course, Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course, Airborne, Military Free-Fall, Multi-Mission Parachute Course, Marine Combatant Diver Course, Command and General Staff College, Johns Hopkins University – School of Advanced International Studies, and the Joint and Combined Warfighting School – National Defense University.

His service in the Operating Forces included: Battalion S-2 and HQ Battery Commander, 2d Bn, 11th Marines (June 1998–1999); Platoon Commander, 1st Reconnaissance Bn (June 1999–April 2002) (31st MEU); G-2 Operations Officer, 1st Marine Division (Jan 2004 – June 2005) (OIF); Company Commander, 3rd Reconnaissance Bn (June 2005–June 2008) (OIF); Regimental Combat Team S-2, RCT 7 (June 2012–June 2014) (OEF); Battalion Commander, 1st Reconnaissance Bn (June 2016–June 2018); and Commanding Officer, I MEF Information Group (July 2021–August 2023).

His service outside the Operating Forces included: Director, Enlisted Training, Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center (April 2002–June 2005); Chief, Collections Operation Division and J-2 Aide, USSOUTHCOM (June 2008–June 2011); G-2 Operations Officer, I MEF (June 2014–June 2016); Director, Commandant’s Staff Group (June 2019–June 2020); and AC/S G-5, Training and Education Command (June 2020–2021).

His operational experience included OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 04, 05-07.2 and 06-08.1 (Counter-insurgency operations – Ramadi, Fallujah, and Karmah, Iraq), and OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM 12.1 through 13.1 (Counter-insurgency operations – Helmand Province, Afghanistan).

Kevin retired from the Marine Corps in December 2023. He assumed his current position as Deputy Commander, Marine Corps Intelligence Schools in December 2024. Kevin has been married for over 30 years and has two adult children.

Carl Taylor

SgtMaj James Booker

Sergeant Major James E. Booker retired from the United States Marine Corps in June 2015 with over 32 years of service. His last billet held was the Senior Enlisted Leader, International Security Assistance Force and the United States Forces-Afghanistan from 19 July 2013 – December 2014.

SgtMaj Booker enlisted in the Marine Corps on 18 January 1983 as a Basic Infantryman. He served in the Third Marine Division as a team leader and squad leader (1983–1985), and with 1st Battalion, 4th Marines as a Scout/Sniper (1985–1986). He also served as a Drill Instructor (1987–1988).

As a Staff Sergeant, he served as Platoon Sergeant, 1st Force Reconnaissance Company (1989–1993), and as Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC) of the Urban Reconnaissance and Surveillance and Urban Sniper Courses (1993). As a Gunnery Sergeant, he served in the Special Missions Branch, I MEF Special Operations Training Group (1994–1995), and at the 1st Marine Division Scout/Sniper School (1996–1998).

As a First Sergeant, he served with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (1998–1999), Ordnance Maintenance Company, Waco, Texas (1999–2001), and HQ Company, 5th Marine Regiment (2002–2003).

His Sergeant Major billets include: Sergeant Major of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2003–2004); 3rd Amphibian Assault Battalion (2005); Marine Artillery Detachment, Fort Sill, Oklahoma (2006–2007); Regimental Sergeant Major, 6th Marine Regiment (2008–2009); Sergeant Major, 4th Marine Logistics Group (2010–2011); and Sergeant Major, Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North (2011–2013).

SgtMaj Booker has 44 months of combat experience. He deployed with the 11th and 15th Marine Expeditionary Units in support of operations involving Land Pakistani Forces in Somalia and Operation Southern Watch. His deployments also include Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Desert Stay. His Iraq deployments in infantry units include OIF 1, 2, 9-1, and 9-2. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of OEF from July 2013 to December 2014.

SgtMaj Booker is a graduate of the Marine Scout Sniper, Amphibious Reconnaissance, and Assault Breachers Courses. He is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Dive School, U.S. Army Airborne, Static Line Jumpmaster, Military Free Fall, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster, and Pathfinder Courses. He is also a graduate of the National Defense University Keystone Course.

SgtMaj Booker is a member of the Honorable Order of St. Barbara and an Honorary Member of the Red Stick Society of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

His personal awards include the Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with star), Bronze Star (with Valor), and Combat Action Ribbon (with star).

Col Jack C. Cuddy

Colonel Jack Cuddy was instrumental in the formation of the modern, post-Vietnam Scout Sniper program at Quantico, Virginia. As a young captain, he served as the original Officer-In-Charge of the Scout Sniper Instructor School in 1977, working alongside legendary scout sniper Carlos Hathcock to create and administer scout sniper training. Colonel Cuddy later returned to Quantico as the Commanding Officer of Weapons Training Battalion.

MSgt John A. Dailey

John Dailey left his home in West Virginia at seventeen to join the Marines, which led to a military career of over twenty years. He began that career as an infantryman, eventually becoming a Scout Sniper and rising to become Chief Scout for his battalion.

As a Platoon Sergeant in the Marine Corps’ 1st Force Reconnaissance Company on deployment in Australia on September 11th, 2001, he and his men soon found themselves in Afghanistan battling the Taliban. In 2003, he was selected to serve as a team leader in the first Marine Corps unit assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command—Detachment 1. Det-1’s 2004 Iraq deployment solidified the Marine Corps’ place in special operations and led to the formation of the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC).

John received his MFA in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina–Wilmington in 2018. He continues to train Marine Raiders and provides leadership training and performance coaching through his company, Walking Point LLC. He lives in Hubert, North Carolina, with his wife, Tracy.

MajGen James S. "Hammer" Hartsell

Major General Hartsell began his Marine Corps career in 1981 as an Enlisted Marine and served with 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, Mobile, AL. Upon graduation from University of South Alabama, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 1983. After completing The Basic School and Infantry Officer Course, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines in Kaneohe Bay, HI, where from 1984–1987 he served as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Anti-Armor Platoon Commander, Battalion Intelligence Officer (S-2), Rifle Company & Weapons Company Executive Officer.

From 1987–1990, he served as a Series Commander and Company Commander at MCRD Parris Island, SC. In 1989, he was assigned as the OIC of the Parris Island Shooting Team, and in 1990 joined the Marine Corps Pistol Team in Quantico, VA, and earned his Distinguished Pistol Badge. He attended the Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico, VA from 1990–91, and then served as a Rifle Company Commander with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines in Camp Lejeune, NC from 1991–1993, and participated in Operation Provide Promise as part of 22 Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). In 1993, he was assigned to II MEF Special Operations Training Group Amphibious Raids Branch.

In 1994, he transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve and joined 3rd Battalion, 23d Marines, where he served as a Rifle Company Commander. From 1998–2000, he served as the Battalion's S3A and then Operations Officer. In 2001, he was assigned as the Commanding Officer of 4th Reconnaissance Battalion in San Antonio, TX. During this tour, he was activated from March–August 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I, taking on the additional role of Battalion Inspector-Instructor.

In 2004, he was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II and deployed with 1st Marine Division as the Division's Senior Liaison Officer to I Marine Expeditionary Force in Al-Anbar, Iraq. From 2005–2007, he served as a member and then Officer In Charge of the 4th Marine Division Forward-West in Camp Pendleton, CA. From 2008–2010, he was assigned as the II Marine Expeditionary Force Command Element IMA Chief of Staff in Camp Lejeune, NC, and during this tour was mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and deployed to Afghanistan as the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Senior Liaison Officer to the NATO Regional Command – South.

Upon promotion to Brigadier General in 2010, he was assigned as the Deputy Commanding General, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (Mobilization). He then served as Commanding General of 4th Marine Division from 2012–2014. From 2014–2018, he was assigned as a senior Joint Flag Officer in the US Pacific Command, where he served as the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, as J5 Strategic Planning & Policy Director, as Chief of Staff, and also as the Director of the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies.

In 2018, he retired after 37 years of faithful service to the Marine Corps and our Nation.

Major General Hartsell is a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School, Marine Corps Command & Staff College, Naval War College & National Defense University Courses, NATO Joint Warfare Course, Darden School of Business Executive Business Strategic Thinking Course, Army War College Land Component Commander Course, Air War College Air Component Commander Course, Joint Flag Officer Warfighter Course, Special Operations Command Special Operations Component Commander Course, Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies Transnational Security Cooperation Course, John F. Kennedy School of Government US-Russia Security Program, Center for Creative Leadership’s Leadership at the Peak, and National Defense University Capstone.

His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with gold star, and the Distinguished Pistol Badge.

Major General Hartsell's 22-year civilian career in the healthcare industry included serving in Marketing, Product Management, US & Global Business Development, Hospital Administration, and Healthcare Leadership. Upon retirement from the Corps, he moved back to his home state of Florida and joined the Pasco Sheriff Office where he stood up the Future Operations Division. In April 2019, he accepted the position of Deputy Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and assumed the duties of Agency Head in June 2020.

LtCol Brian J. Von Herbulis

Brian Von Herbulis led and supported scout sniper, reconnaissance, and special operations units for nearly 17 years as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1999, he graduated from the Marine Corps Scout Sniper School at Camp Pendleton, CA. He was an original member of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command and became the first Marine Special Operations Officer to command two special operations companies in combat. After relinquishing command of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, in 2014, he retired from active military service as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Since retiring from active duty, Brian has become a successful entrepreneur, leadership coach, consultant, and non-profit executive. He has optimized the performance of individuals and businesses across a variety of sectors, including startups, non-profits, and well-established corporations.

Brian earned a bachelor’s degree from Hampden-Sydney College, a master’s degree in business administration from Boise State University, and a certificate in executive leadership coaching from Georgetown University. He is also a President George W. Bush Veteran Leadership Scholar.

Brian is a dedicated family man and avid outdoorsman. He enjoys spending his free time backpacking, camping, hunting, fishing, snowboarding, and climbing mountains. He currently resides in Eagle, ID, with his family.

Col Jon T. Hoffman

Jon Hoffman retired as a colonel from the Marine Corps Reserve in 2008 after thirty years as an infantry officer and field historian, including seventeen years of active duty. His active-duty service included command of two infantry companies, completion of three amphibious deployments, three years as a history instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy, and two years as the deputy director of the Marine Corps History and Museums Division.

In his civilian career, he served as the Deputy Chief Historian for the Secretary of Defense Historical Office and the Chief Historian for the U.S. Army Center of Military History. He retired from the Senior Executive Service in 2024 after more than 40 years of service to the Army, and as a retired Marine Corps officer and historian.

During his long tenure at the Center for Military History, he oversaw the publication of 44 books and pamphlets and 36 editions of the award-winning Army History Magazine. He also led research for numerous Army projects, ensuring that actionable history was a consideration for current decision makers.

His own publications include: Once a Legend: ‘Red Mike’ Edson of the Marine Raiders (Presidio Press, 1994), From Makin to Bougainville: Marine Raiders in the Pacific War (USMC, 1995), Silk Chutes and Hard Fighting: U.S. Marine Corps Parachute Units in World War II (USMC, 1999), Chesty: The Story of Lt Gen Lewis B. Puller (Random House, 2001), and USMC: A Complete History (HLLA, 2002). He also co-authored The Panama Canal: An Army’s Enterprise (CMH, 2009) and Forging a Total Force: The Evolution of the Guard and Reserve (OSD, 2018), and served as general editor of Tip of the Spear: U.S. Army Small-Unit Action in Iraq (CMH, 2009) and A History of Innovation: U.S. Army Adaptation in War and Peace (CMH, 2009).

Col Craig S. Kozeniesky

Craig Kozeniesky is a native of New Mexico, graduating from New Mexico Military Institute and the University of New Mexico. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1988 to 2016, is a combat veteran of Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and retired as a Colonel.

The hallmark of his service was leadership and command in USMC infantry, reconnaissance, and joint special operations units. He was a foreign exchange officer with the British Royal Marine Commandos and the Norwegian Army. He is a plank owner of the USMC Initial Force Contribution to U.S. Special Operations Command, Marine Corps SOCOM Detachment ONE (Det ONE), leading “Task Unit Raider” in Baghdad in 2004. He commanded 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, deploying twice to the western Pacific and to Ar Ramadi, Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom during the “Anbar Awakening” in the 2007 Surge.

As Commanding Officer of Camp Fuji, Japan, he led “Task Force Fuji” in disaster relief operations at the Sendai Airport as part of Operation Tomodachi from March to April 2011 in response to the earthquake and tsunami.

Craig has worked in the private sector, at the Nevada Secretary of State Office as the Deputy Secretary for Operations, and in U.S. government contracting. He has been Vice President of Development for PrairieFire, a start-up in the shooting sports, training, and destinations sectors. He was most recently the CEO of USA Shooting. In 2024, he was inducted into the U.S. Special Operations Command Commando Hall of Honor and the New Mexico Military Institute Hall of Fame.

Craig is active in supporting hunting and veterans outreach non-profit organizations. He and his wife of 36 years reside in Colorado Springs, CO.

Jake Wood

Jake Wood served four years in the United States Marine Corps with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. Wood served in Al Anbar Province, Iraq in 2007 as an infantry fire team leader and later in Afghanistan's Helmand Valley as a Scout-Sniper in 2008. He was the Honor Graduate at boot camp, the School of Infantry, and the Marine Scout-Sniper Course. He received three meritorious promotions, with one in combat, and is the recipient of the Navy-Marine Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device. Wood was honorably discharged in 2009.

Today, Wood is the founder and CEO of Groundswell, a software company that enables companies to make philanthropy an employee benefit. Groundswell launched in 2021 after raising $15 million in venture capital led by Google Ventures.

Prior to launching Groundswell, Wood served as the founder and CEO of Team Rubicon, a disaster response organization that is widely considered one of America’s leading nonprofits. Since 2010, Team Rubicon has recruited over 150,000 volunteers and responded to nearly 1,000 disasters and humanitarian crises. Team Rubicon has become widely recognized for its strong corporate culture, which has been honored multiple times as one of the “best places to work in America,” and for its technological innovation via partnerships with companies like Microsoft, Twilio, Palantir, and others. Wood remains Team Rubicon’s chairman.

Wood is a sought-after thought leader on topics of organizational culture and leadership, frequently speaking at corporate and industry events. Notable corporate clients include Goldman Sachs, Intuit, Farmers Insurance, Travelers Insurance, Facebook, and Carhartt.

Wood’s memoir, Once A Warrior, was an Amazon best-seller, and Tom Brokaw stated that “it’s the book America needs right now.”

He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a dual degree in Business and Political Science and played four years of varsity football for the Badgers.

SgtMaj Bryan Zickafoose

Sergeant Major Zickefoose, a native of the Midwest, graduated from Millard North High School in 1985 and served in the United States Marine Corps for 36 years. In addition to numerous military schools, he is also a graduate of the Basic Airborne Course, Scout Sniper Course, Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, Career Course, SNCO Advanced Course, and Joint Enlisted Professional Military Education (Keystone).

Sergeant Major Zickefoose is an Infantryman and has served in every U.S. Marine Corps infantry billet from Rifleman to Senior Enlisted Advisor. He has deployed 11 times and has participated in numerous combat engagements in Somalia, Kosovo, Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. He has also served in the Marine Security Forces, as a Drill Instructor, Sergeant Instructor at Officer Candidate’s School, Chief Instructor and Staff Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge of the Scout Sniper Instructor School, and on recruiting duty.

As a Noncommissioned Officer, he served in 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines during Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Restore Hope, numerous Joint Task Force-6 Operations, and at Joint Task Force-Bravo.

As a Staff Sergeant and senior staff noncommissioned officer, he served in 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines and deployed to Kosovo and in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He was also a member of the Personnel Security Detail for Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

As a Sergeant Major, he served as a Recruiting Station Sergeant Major, 1st Marines and Regimental Combat Team 1 Sergeant Major, 2nd Marine Division Sergeant Major, II Marine Expeditionary Force Sergeant Major, and as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for United States Southern Command.

His personal awards include: the Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit with 1 gold star, Bronze Star Medal with 1 Gold Star and 1 Combat Distinguishing Device, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Gold Star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 1 Gold Star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 1 Gold Star, and the Combat Action Ribbon with 3 Gold Stars.

He has two children, Dakota and Tia, and is enjoying retirement in Maine.