On Thursday, Mar 19, 2015, AFCEA Quantico-Potomac hosted a luncheon at The Clubs at Quantico. The Guest Speakers will be Colonels Dave McMorries and Pete Dillon, USMC. Colonel McMorries currently serves as Division Chief, Network Policy and Plans (CP) Division, Command, Control, Communications and Computers Department (C4), Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. Colonel Dillon is the Strategic Planning Chief (CS) for Headquarters Marine Corps C4.
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Col Dave McMorries
Colonel McMorries was born in Long Beach, California and raised in Humboldt County, California. He was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer’s Training Corps at Oregon State University on 18 March 1988 after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
Colonel McMorries’ military education includes the Basic School (1988), Basic Communications Officer’s Course (1988), Command and Control Systems Course (1995), and in June 2000 he graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School with a Masters of Science in Information Technology Management.
Colonel McMorries’ past assignments include Communications Center Platoon Commander, Bravo Company, 7th Communication Battalion (February-July 1989); Communications Representative, 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade Exercise Control Group, G-3 (July 1989-February 1990); Communications Officer, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines (February 1990-February 1992); Operations Officer, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center (March 1992-July 1993); Communications Representative, Tactical Exercise Evaluation Control Group, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (July 1993-July 1994); Platoon Commander, Kilo Company, Officer Candidates School (May-August 1995); Assistant Operations Officer, 8th Communication Battalion,
2d Surveillance Reconnaissance Intelligence Group (SRIG) (September 1995-July 1996); Commanding Officer, General Support Company, 8th Communication Battalion, 2d SRIG (July 1996-May 1998); Satellite Systems Action Officer, C4 Department, Headquarters Marine Corps (August 2000-May 2003); Information Technology Officer, III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) G-6 (June 2003-June 2004); Chief, Information Assurance Division, J-6, United States Southern Command (July 2004-May 2007); Deputy G-6, II MEF Forward (Multinational Force-West) (July 2007-January 2008); Deputy G-6, 2d Marine Division (January 2008-June 2008); Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (June 2008-July 2009); Assistant Chief of Staff (AC/S), G-6, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing (July 2009-July 2010); AC/S, G-6 II MEF/II MEF (Forward)/Director, Communication Information System Regional Command Southwest (August 2010-June 2012) and Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Network Operations and Security Center (July 2012-July 2014).
Colonel McMorries’ combat deployments include Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.2 and Operation Enduring Freedom 2011.
Colonel McMorries’ personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (Gold Star in lieu of second award), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star in lieu of second award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star in lieu of second award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon.
Colonel McMorries is married to the former Holly Hicks of McMinnville, Oregon. They have three children.
Col Pete Dillon
Col Pete Dillon graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1991 and was commissioned via the NROTC program. He was assigned as a communications officer at the completion of The Basic School and subsequently reported to the Basic Communications Officer Course.
In 1992, he reported to 7th Communications Battalion in Okinawa, Japan where he served as the multi-channel platoon commander, Alpha Company. He reported to the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) in 1993 and assumed duties as the Officer in Charge, Marine Communications Detachment. During this tour he was temporarily assigned as the S6 Alpha, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).
He reported to the 1st Marine Division in 1995 and served tours as: S6, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion; Operations Officer, Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion; S6, 5th Marine Regiment.
In 1998 he transferred to Quantico and attended the Command and Control Systems Course where he graduated as an honor student. He was assigned to Marine Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC) in 1999 and assumed responsibilities as the Assistant Operations Officer, Central Command Desk, G6.
In 2002 he deployed to Bahrain as the G6 Operations Officer, Marine Forces Central Command (MARCENT) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In the summer of 2002 he transferred to Amphibious Group Three, headquartered in San Diego, California where he served as the Officer in Charge, Marine Communications Detachment.
In 2003 he deployed to Bahrain in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as the Task Force 51 (Amphibious Task Force) communications liaison officer to 5th Fleet (Combined Forces Maritime Component Commander).
In 2004 he moved to Tokyo, Japan and assumed duties in the J6 of U.S. Forces Japan, headquartered at Yokota Air Base. He concluded his tour in 2007 as the branch chief of J62, Operations, Exercises and Plans. In July 2007 he was directed to report to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Okinawa, Japan as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G6. He served in that capacity for three years.
In July, 2010 he assumed command of Region 1, Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, responsible for seventeen Marine Security Guard detachments throughout Eastern Europe and Eurasia. He was selected for top level school commencing in 2012 and subsequently served as the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ fellow to the Atlantic Council for 2012-2013.
He is married to the former Gina Bellu of Fremont, California. They have two sons; Jacob (16) and Liam (10).