Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 2d Marines
LtCol Charles R. Cassidy
LtCol Cassidy was born and raised in Evergreen Park, Illinois. He was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1995 after graduating from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Following The Basic School and Infantry Officer’s Course, LtCol Cassidy was assigned to 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in 29 Palms, California where he served as platoon commander and executive officer from 1996 to 1999.
In 1999, LtCol Cassidy was selected for the supplemental military occupation specialty (MOS) program and attended Logistics Officer Course at Camp Johnson, North Carolina. As a logistics officer, he initially served as a company commander in 8th Motor Transport Battalion and 2d Transportation Support Battalion. LtCol Cassidy was then assigned as the Operations Officer for MEU Service Support Group 24 (MSSG-24). Deploying with the 24th MEU in 2001, he participated in numerous multinational training operations and Operation RAPID CHEETAH in Kosovo. Upon return, LtCol Cassidy served briefly as the assistant operations officer for 2d Transportation Support Battalion before being assigned as the Beach & Terminal Operations Detachment OIC for Operation DYNAMIC MIX 2002 in Taragona, Spain.
In 2002, LtCol Cassidy attended the U.S. Army’s Infantry Captain’s Career Course in Fort Benning, Georgia. In December 2002, he joined 3d Battalion, 2d Marines and immediately deployed in January 2003 as part of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. As a company commander, LtCol Cassidy served both in Iraq and then Djibouti, Africa as part of the anti-terrorism security force for Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. Upon his return, he served as the Battalion Operations Officer before being assigned to Regimental Combat Team-2 as the Assistant Operations Officer where he deployed back to Iraq from 2005 to 2006.
In June 2006, LtCol Cassidy assumed command of Recruiting Station Cleveland, Ohio. Following recruiting duty, he attended the Naval Command and Staff College in Newport, Rhode Island where he earned a Masters degree in National Defense and Strategic Studies before being assigned to 2d Marine Division (forward) in August 2010. Serving as the Future Operations Officer, LtCol Cassidy deployed to Afghanistan in early 2011 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
LtCol Cassidy’s personal awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation with gold star, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon.
Sergeant Major, 3d Battalion, 2d Marines
SgtMaj James S. Moran
Sergeant Major James S. Moran was born in Nashville Tennessee on 5 December 1972. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 24 September 1991 and graduated from Lima Company, Third Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD Parris Island on 20 December 1991. Upon graduation, he attended Marine Combat Training, Camp Geiger, N.C. Upon completion of MCT, he reported to Parachute Rigger School, Naval Air Station Millington, Tennessee for MOS training. After completion, then Lance Corporal Moran, received the 6060 MOS and was ordered to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina. In July 1992, LCpl Moran was attached to VMFA 251 and completed three unit deployments. The first was in July 1992 to Okinawa, Japan; the second in March 1993 to Aviano, Italy in support of Operation Deny Flight/ Provide Promise during the Bosnian conflict where he was promoted to Corporal; the third was in September 1994 aboard the aircraft carrier, USS America CV66, for Operations Southern Watch and Decisive Endeavor, again in support of the Bosnian conflict. Then Sergeant Moran received orders to the Parachute Loft Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 in May 1996 where he served as the NCOIC, Collateral Duty Inspector and as a Quality Assurance Representative for 12 months before receiving orders to Instructor Duty NAS Pensacola Florida. In June 1997, Sgt Moran reported to MATSG 90, Naval Air Station Pensacola. After completing the Basic Instructor Course at NTTC Corey Station, Sgt Moran was assigned as an Instructor at the Basic Parachute Riggers course. Sergeant Moran was selected as NCO of the year for MATSG and earned his Navy/ Marine Parachutist Device. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in December 1999. Staff Sergeant Moran received orders to MCRD San Diego California in October of 2000 and reported to Drill Instructor School in December of that same year. Upon graduation he reported to Mike Company, Third Recruit Training Battalion. Staff Sergeant Moran filled the billets of Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Series Gunnery Sergeant and Company First Sergeant. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in March of 2003, and after the completion of eleven training cycles, received orders to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadon-24, Marine Corps Base Hawaii in February 2004. Gunnery Sergeant Moran reported to MALS-24 in March of 2004 where he was the SNCOIC of the Parachute Loft and Cryogenics facilities. Gunnery Sergeant Moran deployed to Okinawa, Japan in November 2005 to prepare HMLA-463 for deployment to Al Asad, Iraq. He was selected for First Sergeant in December 2005 prior to deploying and received orders back to Marine Corps Base Hawaii. In April 2006, he was frocked to his current rank prior to reporting to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines. He served as a First Sergeant in Fox Company where he completed a combat tour in support of Iraqi Freedom in Barwanah, Iraq. He was then assigned as Weapons Company First Sergeant, completing a second combat tour in support of Iraqi Freedom to Zaidon, Iraq. In October of 2008, 1stSgt Moran reported to MCRD Parris Island and was assigned to Third Recruit Training Battalion. He served as the Company First Sergeant for India, Kilo and Lima companies completing five cycles. In June of 2010, 1stSgt Moran was selected as the First Sergeant for Drill Instructor School where he completed four classes. In July of 2011 he transferred over to serve as the Sergeant Major of Support Battalion and served for six months until his selection to Sergeant Major. Upon selection he received orders to Third Battalion, Second Marines. His personal awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, Navy/ Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star, the Navy/ Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, the Combat Action Ribbon and the Navy/ Marine Parachutist device as well as various other unit and service awards.