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Colonel Lewallen was commissioned as a second lieutenant in December 1988 and subsequently attended The Basic School at Quantico, Virginia. Following completion of TBS he attended the Infantry Officer’s Course.
He reported to BLT 3/8 in October 1989 and served as a rifle platoon commander, battalion adjutant and company executive officer. During this period he completed two deployments with 26 MEU (SOC) and supported contingency operations (afloat) in support of Operation SHARP EDGE and PROVIDE COMFORT. In October of 1992, he reported to Marine Barracks 8th & I and served as a platoon commander, company executive officer and as the ground combat arms section head at the Marine Corps Institute. He also performed duties as a White House Military Social Aide.
He was selected to attend Amphibious Warfare School in the summer of 1995. He reported to 2d Battalion, 3d Marines in June 1996 where he commanded two companies and served as the battalion operations officer. In November of 1999 he reported to Headquarters Battalion, MCB Kanehoe Bay and served as the battalion executive officer. He was selected to attend the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in the summer of 2000.
In June of 2001 he reported to United States Central Command and was assigned to J3-PP Crisis Action Plans Branch. During this period, he worked on the development of several theater-level war plans in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In January of 2003, he deployed forward to Qatar as the future plans officer for J3-PP in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He also deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in order to assist in the formation of the emerging Iraqi government. In September of 2003 he completed Joint Forces Staff College (Phase II) and then redeployed to Qatar in November of 2003. During this period he served as the Chief, Afghanistan Plans section and deployed forward to Afghanistan to coordinate future operations within the Afghanistan Theater.
Returning to CONUS in May of 2004, he reported to II MEF G3 in June of 2004. During this period he served in the G3 Future Operations section as the CENTCOM/PACOM section head.
In June of 2005, Lieutenant Colonel Lewallen assumed command as the Inspector-Instructor, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines. Upon mobilization of the battalion for duty in Iraq, he reported to I MEF G-10 and volunteered for duty as the Deputy Team Chief, 7th Iraqi Army Division Military Training Team in the summer of 2006. Upon return from Iraq in 2007, he relinquished command and reported to the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia for duty as a member of the military faculty.
Lieutenant Colonel Lewallen reported to 3d Marine Division in July of 2009 and was subsequently directed by the Commanding General to report for duty as the Commanding Officer, 4th Marine Regiment. Colonel Lewallen was then assigned as the AC/S G-3 in May of 2010 until January of 2011 when he was directed to assume duties as the Chief of Staff for 3d Marine Division.
Colonel Lewallen is a graduate of the Air War College nonresident course and holds a Master of Public Administration Degree from Old Dominion University. He is a member of Golden Key and Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Societies.
His personal decorations include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster in lieu of second award, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster in lieu of second award, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
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