Combat Logistics Battalion 8

Commanding Officer,

LtCol Christopher D. Hrudka

LtCol Chris Hrudka, a native of Deerfield, Illinois and a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder, was commissioned via the Platoon Leaders Course program in May 1994. He attended The Basic School Class 2-95 and was appointed as a Logistics Officer. After completion of the Logistics Officer Basic Course at NAB Little Creek, Virginia he was assigned to 3rd Battalion 5th Marines at Camp Pendleton, CA from January 1996-Dec 1998. While at 3/5 he served as the Battalion Assistant Logistics Officer, Embarkation Officer, Battalion Maintenance Management Officer and as the Logistics Officer for 3/5 through two 31st MEU deployments. He was promoted to the Captain in July 1998.

In Dec 1998 he was reassigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron-372 at Camp Pendleton, CA as the Asst. Operations Officer. In May of 2000 he was assigned as the Company Commander of Support Company, MWSS-372, in support of Marine Aircraft Group-39.

In April 2002 Captain Hrudka became an instructor at The Basic School in Quantico Virginia. He then assumed duties as a Staff Platoon Commander with Fox Co, Basic Officer Course 5-02. Captain Hrudka was frocked to the rank of Major in May 2003 and assigned as the Logistics Officer for The Basic School. In September 2004 Major Hrudka became the Commanding Officer of Bravo Company, BOC 2-05.

Major Hrudka attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico Virginia in 2005-6 and in 2006 he was assigned as Logistics Officer for the 22nd MEU. During this deployment he participated in Operations Sea Angel II relief efforts in Bangladesh among other 5th and 6th Fleet operations, and as a logistics planner for the MARCENT plan to bring Marine forces into Afghanistan.

In March 2008 Major Hrudka was assigned as the Executive Officer of Marine Corps Logistics Operations School at Camp Johnson, North Carolina. In June 2009 he was reassigned to Navy Warfare Development Command in Norfolk, Virginia as Logistics Analysis Officer for Seabasing integration, and as the Base Realignment And Closure (BRAC) action officer for the command, responsible for consolidation of the command from Newport, RI to Norfolk, VA.

In March 2010 Major Hrudka deployed to serve as the POL-MIL Operations Officer, US Forces Afghanistan, at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. In this capacity he served as the CIV-MIL operations planner between the US Embassy and ISAF Joint Command headquarters and CIV-MIL planner for election security planning for the 2010 Afghan Parliamentary elections. Promoted to LtCol in July 2010, he was assigned as the Executive Officer to the COMISAF Liaison to the US Embassy, Kabul. Returning to the United States in October 2010 he was reassigned as Executive Assistant to the Commander of Navy Warfare Development Command until June 2011. In June 2011 he assumed duties as the Commanding Officer, CLR-2 for three months before deploying to Afghanistan to support the development and training of a new Afghan National Army Logistics Battalion. Upon his return LtCol Hrudka served as the 2nd MLG Future Operations Officer until assuming command of CLB 8.

LtCol Hrudka holds a Masters Degree in Operational Studies, with distinction, from Marine Corps University.

His personal decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. Additionally, LtCol Hrudka was awarded the Department of State Meritorious Honor Award by Ambassador Karl Eikenberry for his service with the U.S. Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan from March to October 2010.

Sergeant Major,

Sgt. Maj. Anthony Crutcher

Sergeant Major Crutcher graduated from Saint Anne Community High School in Saint Anne, IL in 1987. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 13, 1990 and went through recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. Upon graduation of recruit training he attended Marine Combat Training and MOS school at the School Of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, CA for training as a 0311 Marine Rifleman.

In September 1990, he received orders and was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 9th Marines, “The Walking Dead”, 1^st Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, CA as an Automatic Rifleman and Company Radio Operator. From 1990-1994, he deployed with BLT 1/9 Special Operations Capable in support of the 13th and 15th MEU’s respectively. During this time, he participated in Operations Desert Storm, Fiery Vigil (JTF Alpha), Continue Hope, Show Care, and More Care (JTF Somalia and Unosom Forces II) and was promoted to the rank of Corporal.

In May 1994, he received orders to Golf Company, Marine Combat Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA where he trained entry level Marines in basic infantry skills. From 1994-1997, he served as Troop Handler, Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Commander and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In January 1997, he received orders to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion 3rd Marines, “Lava Dog” 3^rd Marine Regiment, Kaneohe Bay, HI. From 1997-2000, he participated in the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan completing two seven month deployments. During this time, he served as Squad Leader, Platoon Guide, Medium Machine Gun Section Leader, Jungle Warfare Tactics Instructor, Platoon Sergeant, and Platoon Commander and was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In October 2000, he requested and received orders to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. Upon completion of Drill Instructor School, he was assigned to Golf Company, Second Recruit Training Battalion. From 2001-2004, he completed eight cycles as Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Series Gunnery Sergeant, Operations Chief, Drill Instructor of the Year (2^nd Recruit Training Battalion), and was subsequently meritoriously promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.

In January 2004, he received orders to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, “The Magnificent Bastards” 5th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, CA. From 2004-2006, he deployed to Ramadi, Iraq in support of OIF II and Okinawa, Japan as BLT 2/4 in support of the 31st MEU. During this time, he served as Platoon Commander for Mobile Assault Platoon 3, Company Gunnery Sergeant Headquarters and Service Company, Marshalling Control Officer MSPF, and Operations Chief, Weapons Company. In March 2006, he received orders to Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, Camp Pendleton, CA where he served as the Operations Chief from March 2006-February 2007 and was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant.

In February 2007, he received orders to 2nd Battalion 11th Marines, “Second To None” 11^th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, CA. From 2007-2009, he served as Headquarters Battery First Sergeant, Civil Affairs Detachment 3 First Sergeant, and Fox Battery First Sergeant. During this time, he deployed to Iraq from February – December 2008 in order to conduct Civil Military Operations in support of OIF-08. In April 2009, he received orders to Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific, San Diego, Ca. From 2009- 2010, he served as the Command Senior Enlisted Advisor and was promoted to current rank. He currently serves as the Battalion Sergeant Major, Combat Logistics Battalion-8, “Warriors Sustaining Warriors”, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, Camp Lejeune, NC.

Sergeant Major Crutcher’s personal awards include: Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device “V”, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Two Gold Stars in Lieu of 3^rd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Two Gold Stars in Lieu of 3^rd Award), and the Combat Action Ribbon.