On Jan 21, 2016 AFCEA Quantico-Potomac hosted a luncheon at the Clubs at Quantico. Col (sel) Curtis Carlin, Division Chief for Vision & Strategy. Col (sel) Carlin was our guest speaker and gave us a comprehensive look at the future of Marine Corps Command and Control and the challenges the Marine Corps faces.
Agenda:
11:00-11:30 Check-in & Registration
11:30-12:00 Lunch
12:00-13:00 Remarks by Col (Sel) Carlin
LtCol CURTIS W. CARLIN USMC
HQMC C4 Vision & Strategy
Lieutenant Colonel Curtis Carlin is a native of Brandon, Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing in 1993 and was soon commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. After completing The Basic School and Communications Officer School, 2nd Lieutenant Carlin was ordered to 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan. During his tour, he served with 4th Marine Regiment as the S-6A, Communication Platoon commander. In 1996, 1st Lieutenant Carlin was transferred to Combat Assault Battalion and served as the S-6 Communications Officer. Later, as a newly-promoted Captain, he served as the Headquarters and Service Company commander.
After transferring to Quantico in 1998 and completing a year at Command and Control Systems Course, Captain Carlin spent three years at the Marine Corps Combat Development Command as a Requirements Officer supporting the Joint Capabilities Integration Development System. After being selected for Major in 2002, he was transferred back to Okinawa, Japan for a three-year tour with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Major Carlin first spent one year as the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff G-6 and then one year as the Staff Secretary for the Commanding General. During his final year on Okinawa, Major Carlin served as the S-3 Operations Officer for Marine Wing Communications Squadron-18.
In July 2005, Major Carlin went back to Quantico, as he was selected to attend the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. There he completed multiple courses of study and earned a Masters in Military Science. Major Carlin transferred to Headquarters United States Central Command, Macdill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. During this tour, he served three years in the J-3 Operations Directorate as a strategic planner and plans branch chief for the J-3 Strategic Movements Center. During this high-tempo assignment he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. After attending the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, Lieutenant Colonel Carlin received designation as a Joint Specialty Officer.
Returning to the Marine operating forces on Okinawa in August 2009, Lieutenant Colonel Carlin was first assigned as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff G-6 for 3d Marine Division and then subsequently became the G-6. In January 2011, Lieutenant Colonel Carlin deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of United States Forces-Iraq as the Chief of Plans and Crisis Action Team Lead in the J-35 Directorate. From July 2011 to July 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Carlin was the commanding officer of Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, Bangor, WA. Following a successful command tour, he was selected as the 1st Commandant of the Marine Corps Fellow to the United States Institute of Peace in Washington DC. Upon conclusion of the fellowship, Lieutenant Colonel Carlin reported to Headquarters, United States Marines Corps C4 Directorate where he has been selected for promotion to Colonel and currently serves as the Division Chief, Vision and Strategy.
Lieutenant Colonel Carlin’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Gold Stars, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He is married to the former Mitzi Hnizdil, and they have four children, Alicia (18), Sammie (16), John (15), and Nicholas (14).