Silent Drill Team Officer Representative

Major Mark Liston
United States Marine Corps
1^st Company Officer
United States Naval Academy

Major Mark R. Liston enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January, 1991. He completed Recruit Training, Marine Combat Training, further infantry training at the Infantry Training Battalion, and was designated a Machinegunner. After 13 months of service in the Ground Defense Force, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and numerous deployments with 3d Bn, 8th Marines, he left active service and enrolled in the Platoon Leaders Course. During college, he served as a Platoon Sergeant in the 1st Bn, 25th Marines, and completed several extreme cold-weather deployments.

Maj Liston was commissioned in 1997, completed The Basic School in July of 1998 as a member of the Commanding General's Honor Roll, and was meritoriously augmented. He subsequently completed the Infantry Officer's Course and reported to 3d Bn, 2d Marines. During this period, the battalion deployed to Asia, several amphibious exercises and completed a national firefighting mission in Idaho. He served as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Rifle Company Executive Officer, and Headquarters and Service Company Commander.

In March 2000, Maj Liston reported to the School of Infantry, East. He served as a Company Commander in the Marine Combat Training Battalion, and the Operations Officer for the Infantry Training Battalion. In November 2003, Captain Liston reported to the US Army's Armor Captains Career Course in Fort Knox, Kentucky.

In May of 2004, Maj Liston reported for duty with 3d Bn, 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division and assumed command of the Headquarters and Service Company. The battalion was deployed to Haiti as the ground combat element for MAGTF-8 in support of Operation SECURE TOMORROW. Upon the battalion's return from Haiti, he participated in a battalion convoy training package at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and led the company through Revised Combined Arms Exercise/Stability and Support Operations training in California. The Battalion deployed to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II in January of 2004.

Shortly after his arrival in Iraq, Maj Liston was reassigned as the Commanding Officer, Company I in March of 2005. The rifle company was tasked with securing a restive city outside of Fallujah, and to train and assist local Iraqi Forces. After tireless efforts from the Marines and Sailors, great progress toward stability and self- governance was made. Upon the return of the battalion in August, Maj Liston was reassigned as Commanding Officer, Weapons Company, and led the company through pre-deployment training, to include Exercise Mojave Viper in 29 Palms, California in January through February 2006.

Maj Liston deployed to the volatile city of Ramadi, Iraq in March of 2006. During this period, his company fought a determined Al-Qaeda enemy in a challenging urban environment. In this complex and challenging fight, the company engaged enemy combatants over 150 times, and cleared or encountered over 260 IED's. Several brave Marines and Sailors were killed and wounded during this deployment, but progress toward stability was enabled by their fearless actions.

Upon return to the US, Maj Liston was selected to attend the Special Education Program, a path to becoming a Company Officer at the USNA. Before his transfer, he commanded the 8th Marines Headquarters Company, which ultimately comprised of over 550 Marines, many with disciplinary and legal issues. During this period, he received the II Marine Expeditionary Forces Leadership Award. Upon receipt of orders, he received a Masters Degree in Professional Studies from the University of Maryland, and received the Gannon Leadership award.

Maj Liston's personal awards include the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2d award), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Maj Liston is married to the former Jennifer Degnan of Warwick, RI. They have one son, Zachary (6).

Silent Drill Team Enlisted Representative

Gunnery Sergeant Eric Holt
United States Marine Corps
17^th Company SEL
United States Naval Academy

Gunnery Sergeant Eric D. Holt was born on 28 November 1974 in Greenwood, Mississippi. He enlisted into the United States Marine Corps on 5 November 1992 into the Delayed Entry Program as a guaranteed Private First Class. He reported for recruit training on 14 June 1993 at Parris Island, South Carolina. While in recruit training assigned as a squad leader. Upon graduation, he reported to Marine Corps Service Support School, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for Motor Vehicle Operator’s Course.

In February 1994, Private First Class Holt reported for duty at 3rd Support Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, Echo Company. During his tour he served as a Logistical Vehicle System Operator. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on 1 April 1994. In May of that year the company became Motor Transport Company. Lance Corpora Holt was attached t the 31st MEU, MSSG-31, where he served as a dispatcher. In December of 1994, Lance Corporal Holt was reattached to Motor Transport Company and executed orders to his next duty assignment.

In March 1995, Lance Corporal Holt reported to Marine Support Squadron 274, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, North Carolina, where he served as a Logistical Vehicle System Operator and Dispatcher. While assigned to MWSS-274, LCpl Holt served on numerous deployments to include: Weapons Training Instruction (WTI), MCAS Yuma, Arizona and Combined Arms Exercise (CAX), Twenty Nine Palms, California. In March 1996, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and was appointed as Motor Transport Operations Training NCO. In January 1997, Corporal Holt attended the Corporals Leadership Course. In March 1997, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In April 1997, Sergeant Holt attended the Semi-Refueled Operators Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In October 1997, he attended the Sergeants Course, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

In March 1998, Sergeant Holt reported to 3rd Support Battalion, Motor Transport Company, 3rd FSSG for a second time. While there he served as Platoon Sergeant. During his tour he served on numerous deployments to include UFL 98, 31ST MEU, MSSG-31 for the second time, Cobra Gold 1999 and 2000. Sergeant Holt also completed Jungle Warfare Training during his tour. In March 2000, the unit became 3rd Transportation Support Battalion.

In April 2001, Sergeant Holt reported to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon graduation he was assigned to the Second Recruit Training Battalion, Golf Company where he served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Series Gunnery Sergeant. On 1 October 2001, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Also during his tour he served as Drill Instructor for Medical Rehabilitation Platoon and Basic Marine Platoon.

In September 2004, Staff Sergeant Holt reported to 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, Motor Transport Company, 3RD FSSG for a third time where he served as Platoon Sergeant. Upon arriving to the unit SSgt Holt completed the Anti-Terrorism Officer’s Course and the Staff Non-Commissioned Officers Career. In March 2005, SSgt Holt was appointed as 3rd Platoon Commander, Motor Transport Company, simultaneously SNCIOC 3rd Transportation Corporals Course. In December SSgt Holt was appointed as Company Gunnery Sergeant, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Transportation Support Battalion.

In August 2006, SSgt Holt was frocked to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and assigned to the Mongolian Enlisted Leadership Development Program (MELDEP), Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia where he served as Marine Senior Enlisted Leader, 150th Peace Keeping Battalion, Mongolian Armed Forces. On 1 September 2006, he was officially promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Upon his return to his parent command, GySgt Holt completed the Staff Non-Commissioned Officers Advanced Course.

In June 2007, GySgt Holt reported to his current duty at the United States Naval Academy for Assistant Marine Officer Instructor Duty (AMOI) where he was assigned to the Commandant of Midshipman Staff a Senior Enlisted Leader.

His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in lieu of second award, Good Conduct Medal in lieu of fourth award, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

He is married to the former Tonisha Adams of Greenwood, Mississippi. They have two children, Xavier and Exelman.