Naval ROTC

Colonel Lawrence Oliver USMC
Commanding Officer

Colonel Oliver was born in the District of Columbia in September 1964. He graduated from Jacksonville University in December 1986, earning a B.S. in Biology. After completion of The Basic School and Undergraduate Naval Flight Officer training, he proceeded to VA-128, NAS Whidbey Island, Washington for transition training in the A-6E Intruder.

First Lieutenant Oliver completed transition training in March 1989 and was assigned to VMA(AW)-533, MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, where he held billets as the Adjutant, Schedules officer, and B/N training officer. During his tenure with the “Hawks", Lieutenant Oliver deployed to the western pacific, attended the WTI course at MAWTS-1, and participated in Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. In June 1992, Captain Oliver was transferred to VMA(AW)-224 where he served as the NATOPS officer and B/N Training officer.

Following transition training to the FA-18D at VMFAT-101 in El Toro, California, Captain Oliver was assigned to VMFA(AW)-224 in Beaufort, South Carolina where he served as the assistant Logistics officer and WSO training officer. With the “Bengals”, Captain Oliver made two Aviano, Italy deployments and completed the WTI and TOPGUN courses. In June 1996, Captain Oliver was transferred to NAS Fallon, Nevada where he served as a TOPGUN instructor.

After attending the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, Major Oliver returned to MAG-31, MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina in June 2000. While assigned to MAG-31, he held billets as the MAG Weapons and Tactics officer, Director of Safety and Standardization, Logistics officer, and Operations officer. He deployed to the western pacific as the Maintenance officer for VMFA(AW)-224 and also served as the Executive officer for VMFA(AW)-332. Following a deployment to the Combined Air Operations Center in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar where he assumed duty as the Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on 26 June 2004.

Upon completion of his command tour, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver was transferred to Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters United States Marine Corps, where he served as the Current Operations Group branch chief from June 2006 until June 2008.

After graduation from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Colonel Oliver returned to the Pentagon serving as the Marine Tactical Air Force Analyst in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Cost Assessment and Program Analysis from June 2009 until June 2011.

Colonel Oliver is married to the former Shari Savage, of Silver Spring, Maryland. They have one daughter, Samantha Marie.

CDR Robert G. Walker USN
Executive Officer

Commander Walker, a native of Newburgh, NY, graduated from Norwich University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, receiving his commission through the Naval ROTC program. Following training at Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, RI, Commander Walker reported to USS KIDD (DDG 993) in March 1992, homeported in Norfolk, VA, where he served as Electronic Warfare Officer and Auxiliaries Officer through May 1995. During this time, KIDD completed deployments to the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of Counter-Narcotic Operations, and to the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas as part of the EISENHOWER Strike Group, supporting Operations SHARP GUARD, DENY FLIGHT, and PROVIDE PROMISE.

In June 1995, he reported to Assault Craft Unit FIVE (ACU 5) in Camp Pendleton, CA, where he served as a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) Detachment Officer-in-Charge. During this tour, he deployed on the USS RUSHMORE (LSD 47) to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf as part of the TARAWA Amphibious Ready Group, participating in Exercise COBRA GOLD in Thailand, and Operation DESERT STRIKE in the Arabian Gulf.

From June 1997 to December 1998 Commander Walker attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, graduating with a Master of Science in Defense Analysis (Irregular Warfare). Following completion of Department Head School, Commander Walker reported to USS THORN (DD 988) homeported in Portsmouth, VA, in August 1999 where he served as Combat Systems Officer. During this tour, THORN completed a full deployment work-up cycle, and participated in numerous large scale exercises. Commander Walker’s second department head assignment was onboard USS WASP (LHD 1) in Norfolk, VA, where he served as Assistant Operations Officer from January 2001 until November 2002. WASP completed a six month deployment to the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM during this time. In November 2002, Commander Walker reported to the staff of Commander, U.S. SIXTH Fleet embarked onboard USS LASALLE (AGF 3) in Gaeta, Italy where he served as Surface Amphibious Operations Officer and Fleet Watch Officer. As Fleet Watch Officer, Commander Walker oversaw the execution of concurrent combat operations of two Carrier Strike Groups in the Eastern Mediterranean during the initial months of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

Commander Walker was next assigned as Executive Officer of USS PONCE (LPD 15) from August 2004 to December 2005, homeported in Norfolk, VA. During this tour, PONCE completed a deployment to the Arabian Gulf with the KEARSARGE Expeditionary Strike Group, supporting Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. In January 2006, Commander Walker reported to the staff of Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, VA, where he served as Assistant Current Operations Officer until December 2008. During this tour he performed duties as Assistant Crisis Action Team Leader in support of Operation BURNT FROST, and in response to Hurricanes John, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike. He also served as the Navy Liaison Officer to Joint Task Force – Space Transport System (JTF-STS) for all space shuttle launches and landings between 2006 and 2008.

From February 2009 to March 2010, Commander Walker was assigned to the staff of Commander, U.S. Naval Central Command and U.S. FIFTH Fleet headquartered in Bahrain, where he served as a Battle Watch Captain and as Director of Current Operations, executing operations in support of ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, Maritime Security Operations, and operations against violent extremism.

Commander Walker’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), in addition to various campaign and unit awards.