U.S. MARINE. AVIATOR. DAD. WRITER.
MISSION
Create collaborative spaces to improve cross-industry communication for a stronger, safer America.
The Department of Defense has needs as diverse and unique as our 50 great states, but the way the DoD approaches solutions to war fighting mirrors federal government bureaucratic processes that limit efficiency and can affect war-readiness. My professional goal is to assist in bringing together private and public sector experts to eliminate silos between federal and commercial spaces reducing bureaucracy to improve lethality in the defense of freedom.
I believe in freedom and I know, in the pursuit of freedom, there is no greater honor than to serve. We should all make the most of our lives and have no regrets. The world is a better place when each of us, in pursuit of freedom, seek to lead lives of strenuous endeavor.
MANTRA
FOCUS
DEVOTION TO SERVICE
I chose to serve and desire to continue to serve. I fly the mighty MV-22 for the United States Marine Corps and fight for excellence in aviation every day. Following my next billet, I desire to continue seeking self improvement and will apply to attend an advanced warfighting school. One of the greatest influences a mid-level officer can have on operating forces is contributing to a headquarters’ staff.
I take particular pride in providing knowledge of requirements for tactical level war fighters when consulting with mid to high level planners. I believe, without intention, tactical level friction can be forgotten or can lack the serious consideration that it deserves at the operational planning levels. Where I can, I look for opportunities to assist in ensuring those friction points, restraints, and constraints receive adequate consideration by decision makers.
IMPROVE WELFARE
Boys, now more than ever, need strong role models. I seek to serve on a board of directors for a youth non-profit organization. One where I can positively impact the social and moral compass of boys. In service of a youth non-profit, I desire to help those in need of direction and guidance learn the limitless possibilities service has on their future.
Increasing the visibility of military life can help show opportunities available in the military and reduce the stigma often associated with being a member of the military community. The military has often been the path to a better life for many young men and women. Participation on the board of a youth-based non-profit can improve young American’s desire to serve by sharing my story and the story of many like me.
CAUSE FOR COLLABORATION
My goal is to use collaboration to help warfighters be lethal in defense of the United States. Challenges faced at the tactical level should be well understood for mid to high-level planners and decision makers.
Capturing, documenting, and sharing these challenges builds better understanding for planners and enables soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and the greater Defense Department better recognize constraints and restraints forced on the tactician or operator.
Collaboration with greater industry is the tool that builds stacked capabilities for the United States warfighter and improves lethality in defense of freedom.
CAREER
Helping shape America’s defense through policy and service.
"Seek to lead a life of strenuous endeavor."
Teddy Roosevelt
POLICY
Studying at Texas Tech University, I received an opportunity to hold a summer internship at the Pentagon. During that short time, I saw, first hand, how bureaucracy impacted material readiness and military service members.
The internship was a blessing and my first hands-on experience seeing the complexities of defense policy. It was my initial call to serve.
INFANTRY
I am a United States Marine. I love saying that more today than the day I earned my commission. When I started, I just wanted to fly. Since then, my time in the Marine Corps has become much more than that. I have combat operational experience in the Middle East. I made mistakes. Friends were injured and some lost their lives. We made a difference and I will never forget them. I honor them by getting better every day.
AVIATION
As an infantryman turned aviator, I appreciate the combat capabilities and precision that aviation brings to the battlefield. Flying requires technical skills, intelligence, & is dangerous. Aviation requires all teams, including private industry, maintenance, flight crew, pilots and those units aviation supports to be in lock-step for a successful mission. I flew the lethal AH-1Z Viper helicopter and close air support aircraft for 8 years. Now I fly the mighty MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor and assault support aircraft.
I co-founded the Greyhawk Legacy Foundation in 2022. The Greyhawk Legacy Foundation hosts events that contribute to a lasting community for the alumni of VMM-161 and conducts fundraising to support vocational, community college, and university scholarships. The Greyhawk Legacy Foundation seeks to improve opportunities for the military community and believes that our veterans are a bridge to the past and a key to the future of the United States Military. The military community has often been the path to a better life for many young men and women and the Greyhawk Legacy Foundation believes telling the stories of our veterans can show the unlimited possibilities that service to the cause of freedom can provide in obtaining a better life. The Greyhawk Legacy Foundation fosters camaraderie with our Greyhawk family and supports the efforts to improve the life of our past, current, and future members and their families through education.
WRITING
Refining the art of communication through penmanship.
"The Nation that will insist upon drawing a broad line of demarcation between the fighting man and the thinking man is liable to find its fighting done by fools and its thinking by cowards."
Sir William Francis Butler
JOURNALING
Writing is one of the only permanent methods to create a new world. It is the vessel that can carry anyone, of any background, color, or creed to a greater life. Writing can enchant, it can inspire, and can destroy. It enables enlightenment and is the greatest tool to educate if only one is willing to learn. Writing exposes the truth and provides light to the darkness. Writing is romantic and can envelop readers with a glimpse of the possibilities that, otherwise, they would not have been aware. Writing can be liberating and scandalous or both. Writing can be anything you want it to be and that is simply beautiful.
Q&A
Get to know Chris.
"One man is much the same as another, and he is best who is trained in the severest school."
Thucydides
Q&A WITH CHRIS
DESCRIBE YOUR SUNDAY?
SLEEP IN - RECOVER
Cook bacon, egg over medium, and gouda sandwich with crisped bacon grease bread. Add strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi on the side. Coffee with cream, no sugar.
CHORES & CATCH UP
Chat with my wife, Lauren. Start laundry. Research and study for the afternoon. I usually write during this time. Plan the week and hard schedule as much as possible.
PATIO & PLAY
No lunch, but shrimp cocktails and watermelon margaritas on the back patio. Help Lauren unload the groceries and put them away. Play with our Great Dane.
DINNER & KIDS TO SLEEP
House begins to smell like food at around 5:30. Lauren makes some amazing meals. Dinner at around 7:00. Nighttime routine.
IF YOU WEREN’T A MARINE AVIATOR, WHERE WOULD YOU BE?
Wine vineyard owner in Paso Robles, California driving a vintage convertible.
A cattle rancher in Wyoming with at least 10,000 acres.
Movie director creating an audience that falls back in love with the romance of education.
Lead character in a Broadway theatre show. “I am not throwing away my shot”.
Thoroughbred horse owner, racer, and breeder.
Captain of a championship polo team.
Paris real estate mogul.
Museum Director for the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Hermitage Museum.
Marine Aviator … oh wait.
WHAT HAS MADE A LARGE IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?
CHILDHOOD
Learning to juggle / Space camp / Acting / My first fist fight / Baseball / Coach Lowery / Wrestling
EARLY ADULTHOOD
My first paycheck / Speech & Debate Team / Texas Tech Student Council / Kappa Alpha Order / Homecoming Court, what? / DoD Internship / Joining the Marine Corps
TODAY
The Marine Infantry / My first solo military flight / My first child, Hayden / My first deployment / No doubt, my parents
INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE & PLACES
Roger Mark Wood / John Miller / Robert Gates / George H. W. Bush / Ralph Lauren / Bobby Kennedy / Teddy Roosevelt
Mexico, Argentina, Japan, France and the American West
FAMILY
Family is the flagstone of my life.
I chose a life of service, however, the greater intent is to contribute to a safer world and home for my son and daughters.
