Region 9 CO - LtCol. James A. McLaughlin, USMC
Lieutenant Colonel McLaughlin is originally from Ridgewood, N.J. and attended The Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.). He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on 10 November 1992 and reported to Parris Island, S.C. for basic training. After basic training, he received training as an Electrical Equipment Repair Specialist and was assigned to 6th Communications Battalion, then located in Bronx, N.Y.
On 17 March 1995, he was commissioned a second lieutenant. Following the Basic School, he reported to Camp Pendleton and served as the Group Adjutant for the 1st Surveillance Reconnaissance and Intelligence Group, which was de-activated and later activated as the I Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, where he also served as the Group Adjutant.
In June of 1998, he was transferred to I Marine Expeditionary Force, where he served as the Assistant Personnel Officer within the G-1 section. Following his time there, in June 1999, he was then transferred to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable (SOC), where he served as the S-1 Officer. While serving with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC), he deployed in support of humanitarian operations in East Timor, as well as Operation Southern Watch (to enforce no-fly zone in Southern Iraq), and in support of Task Force-58 combat operations in Afghanistan as part of Operation Swift Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
In 2002 he reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California and assumed duties as a Series Commander in 1st Recruit Training Battalion. In 2003, he assumed duties as the Commanding Officer of Company “B”, 1st Recruit Training Battalion.
In June of 2004, he was assigned to Headquarters, Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia to assume duties as the Head of the Enlisted Promotion Section (MMPR-2), Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
In 2007, Lieutenant Colonel McLaughlin was selected to attend the Marine Corps Command and Staff College where he earned a Masters Degree in Military Studies during the 2007-2008 academic year.
In June of 2008, he was assigned to Camp Lejeune (North Carolina) as part of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, where he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1.
In July of 2010, he was re-assigned to II MEF Expeditionary Force to serve as the Assistant Chief of Staff G-1, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).
Lieutenant Colonel McLaughlin is currently the Commanding Officer, Region 9, Marine Corps Embassy Security Group in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Region 9 - First Sergeant B.P. Fogarty, USMC
Brian P. Fogarty was born 20 December 1973 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps on 3 October 1991. He graduated from Pottsville Area High School in Pottsville, Pennsylvania on June 11, 1992 and left for recruit training in September of that year. Following Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, he was transferred to Camp Geiger, North Carolina where he underwent Marine Combat Training. After graduation he reported to Court House Bay, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for training as a Combat Engineer. He graduated from Engineer School on March 31, 1993 and was assigned to Bravo Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Force Service Support, Camp Pendleton, California. While serving with Bravo Co., 7th ESB he was meritoriously promoted to ranks of Lance Corporal and Corporal. He also deployed to Tecate, Mexico in support of Joint Task Force-6, Operation Iron Curtain. In April 1996, Corporal Fogarty reported to MEU Service Support Group -31 Okinawa, Japan for duty as a squad leader. During this tour he deployed with the 31st MEU and also earned the title of Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival (MCIWS) before being promoted to the rank of Sergeant in December of 1996. In May of 1997 Sergeant Fogarty report for duty as a squad leader with Charlie Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division.
During this time, Charlie Co. 2nd CEB was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 3/8, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and began work up exercises to prepare for a six month deployment to the Mediterranean in April of 1999. During this deployment he participates in Combat and Humanitarian Operations in Kosovo, Albania and Turkey. Upon completion of this deployment Sergeant Fogarty was selected to become a Battalion instructor at Engineer Training Area-3, where he quickly established himself and soon became the chief instructor. With this he was also selected to attend the US Army’s Sapper Leader’s Course and the Marine Corps’ Urban Mobility Instructors Course. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in November of 2000 before being reassigned as a platoon sergeant with Alpha Co. 2nd CEB. While assigned to Alpha Co. he participated in a Small Unit Exchange (SUE) with 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines in Oslo, Norway.
In September 2001, Staff Sergeant Fogarty reported for duty as a student at drill instructor school Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion of school he reported to Kilo Co. 3rd Recruit Training Battalion where he served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Series Gunnery Sergeant. During this time he also attended the Marine Combat Instructor Trainer of Water Survival (MCITWS) School before being promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in March of 2004.
In January 2005, Gunnery Sergeant Fogarty was transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 for duty as a Combat Engineer Platoon Sergeant. He was reassigned as the Company First Sergeant for Engineer Operations Company in November 2005. In December 2006 he was selected for promotion to his present rank. In May of 2007, he report to 2nd BN 3rd Marines for duty as the Company First Sergeant for Echo Company. During this tour he has deployed to Karmah, Iraq (Al Anbar Province) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Delaram, Afghanistan (Helmand Province) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In June of 2010 he reported to his current assignment as the Company First Sergeant for Region 9, Marine Corps Embassy Security Group.