Region 5 CO - LtCol Eric Eldred, USMC

Enlisted July 1982; following Recruit Training and Infantry Training School, assigned to Security Forces, Naval Air Station Brunswick, ME. In August 1984 he transferred to 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division. Meritoriously promoted to Sergeant in May 1985; was honorably discharged in March 1987 following deployment with BLT 1/6, 22nd MAU/SOC. In December 1990 graduated Bowling Green State University with B.S. in Criminal Justice. Commissioned December 1991; After Basic School, attended Security Officers Course at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX. Following graduation was transferred to PMO, MCB Camp Smedly D. Butler Okinawa, Japan serving as Military Police Northern District Commander. October 1993, transferred to Security Battalion, MCB Quantico, serving in a variety of billets. In June 1996, was transferred to HQMC (LE Branch, Operations Division, PP&O) assigned as Action Officer working Antiterrorism/Force Protection issues. Graduated Amphibious Warfare School May 1999, and assigned as Inspector Instructor, MP Company A, 4th FSSG, in Lexington, KY. While there deployed as part of JTF New Horizons to Nicaragua for Hurricane Mitch disaster relief.

August 2001 assigned as Executive Officer, 2d Military Police Battalion 2d FSSG. In February 2003 deployed as part of Marine Logistics Command and later as part of the Maritime Pre-positioning Force – Special Purpose MAGTF in support of OIF/OEF (served as MP Battalion XO for MLC and MP Battalion CO for SPMAGTF). In June 2004 assigned as the Deputy Provost Marshal (PMO) and Commanding Officer Military Police Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion, MCB Camp Lejeune (Provost Marshal for 6 months). In August 2005 deployed in support of OIF with the Multi-National Corps Iraq (XVIII Airborne Corps) assigned to C3 as the Antiterrorism/Force Protection, Deputy Chief. In August 2006 transferred to United States Northern Command, Peterson AFB Colorado Springs serving as the Critical Infrastructure Protection/Assessments Branch Chief within the Force Protection/Mission Assurance Division of the J3. In September 2009 LtCol Eldred was assigned to II MEF Headquarters G3 Training until rotating to Frankfurt, Germany to take command of Region 5, Marine Corps Embassy Security Group on 27 May, 2010.

Education: Master’s Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University, graduate of the 219th session of the FBI National Academy, Marine Corps Command and Staff College (non-resident) and the Joint Forces Staff College. Graduate of the Amphibious Reconnaissance School, U.S. Navy Dive School and U.S. Army Ranger School.

Lieutenant Colonel Eldred’s personal awards include; Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (w/palm), Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (w/2 stars), Joint Service Achievement Medal (w/palm), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Region 5 - First Sergeant Reginald M. Harris, USMC

First Sergeant Harris was born August 18, 1976 in Washington D.C. He Graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School, Washington D.C. in 1995 and completed his Bachelor of Information Technology Management in December of 2010, from American Military University. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in July, 1995 and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. During recruit training he was an honor graduate and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class. Following recruit training Private First Class Harris attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina and then attended Aviation Operation Specialist School at Naval Air Station, Meridian, Mississippi.

In March of 1996, Private First Class Harris graduated from Aviation Operations Specialist School and reported to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101), Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. While at VMFAT-101 he held the billets of Operations Clerk, Ground Safety Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), Ground Training NCO, Safety NATOPS Clerk, and Aircrew Training NCO. Private First Class Harris was promoted to the ranks of Lance Corporal, Corporal, and Sergeant while stationed at VMFAT-101.

In May 1998, Sergeant Harris was transferred to Marine Fixed Wing Ground Transport and Refueling Squadron 152 (VMGR-152), Okinawa, Japan. While at VMGR-152 he served as the Assistant Operations Chief, the Assistant Ground Training NCO, and Safety NATOPS Chief. In May 1999, Sergeant Harris participated in Operation Cobra Gold, Thailand.

In June of 1999, Sergeant Harris was transferred to Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), Quantico Virginia. On 1 May 2002, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and held the billets of Ground Training NCO, Assistant Operations Chief, and Plans Chief.

In May of 2003, Staff Sergeant Harris Attended Detachment Commander Training at Marine Security Guard Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. After completing Detachment Commander training Staff Sergeant Harris was sent to Cape Town, South Africa, and Yaoundé Cameroon for posting. On 1 December 2005 he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.

In August 2006, Gunnery Sergeant Harris transferred to Base Operations, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. While stationed at MCAS Cherry Point Gunnery Sergeant Harris served as the Aviation Transportation and Coordination Chief, Air Transport Crewman NATOPS Instructor for the UC-35D Aircraft, Flight Planning SNCOIC, Squadron Gunnery Sergeant, Aviation Transportation and Coordination Chief, Air Operations Chief, and MCAS Cherry Point, Base Martial Arts Instructor. In December 2009, Gunnery Sergeant Harris was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant and transferred to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Charlie Company for duty. He completed one combat tour and transferred to his current duty station Marine Embassy Security Guard as the Region 5 First Sergeant.