Lieutenant Colonel Sean S. Charney

Sean Stuart Charney, a native of Lincoln Park, New Jersey, enlisted into the Marine Corps in January 1986. Upon graduation from MCRD Parris Island he completed the Ammunition Technician course at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. He then reported to 3rd FSSG where he was assigned to the ammunition supply point at Camp Henoko, Okinawa, Japan. At the conclusion of that tour, LCpl. Charney received orders to Hotel Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines of the 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he was assigned as a battery ammunition technician. During this time, he deployed with both the 26th and 24th Marine Expeditionary Units (Special Operations Capable).

Cpl. Charney applied for and was awarded a Naval ROTC scholarship at the Pennsylvania State University, and he was discharged from the Marine Corps in August 1990 to attend college. In May 1994 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, and was commissioned a second lieutenant. After graduation from The Basic School and the Field Artillery Basic Course, he was assigned to Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He served as Forward Observer, Fire Direction Officer and Executive Officer and participated in 2 UDP cycles to Okinawa. He also served as AOIC of Northern Training Area, Okinawa, and as S-4A for 1/12. In July 1998, Capt. Charney was assigned as an instructor in the Fire Direction Branch at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Capt. Charney served as a Gunnery Instructor for both the Field Artillery Officers Basic Course and the Captains Career Course. In August 2000, Capt. Charney reported as a student for the Amphibious Warfare School. Upon completion he was assigned to Officer Candidates School where he worked in the Testing and Evaluation Office for the summer of 2001.

In August 2001, Capt. Charney reported to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines for duties as the Assistant Operations Officer and the battalion Fire Direction Officer. In April 2002, Capt. Charney was assigned as Commanding Officer Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines. During this tour, India Battery was attached to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines in support of the initial phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom, from February to May 2003. From July 2003 to June 2004 Captain Charney was assigned as Operations Officer, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines, and was promoted to Major in May 2004. In July 2004 Maj. Charney was assigned to Manpower and Reserve Affairs for duty as Unit Head for the combat arms enlisted monitor section of MMEA. Over the next three years he served in various billets to include unit head for Enlisted Special Duty Assignments and the Deputy Section Head for all the Enlisted Monitors. In July of 2007 Maj. Charney reported to Marine Corps Command and General Staff College. During his assignment he earned a Masters in Military Studies and upon graduation was assigned to the 10th Marine Regiment in August of 2008. Upon reporting to the regiment he was re-directed to fill an individual augment billet with the Command Element of II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). During this tour, Maj. Charney served as the Fires Office, Deputy Fires and Effects Officer and Fires and Effects Officer during combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon return from that one year deployment, Maj. Charney was assigned as the Assistant Fire Support Coordinator for 2d Marine Division and was promoted to his current grade of Lieutenant Colonel.

Personal Awards include: Meritorious Service Medal w/ gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ Combat Distinguishing Device and gold star, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ gold star, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal – bronze star, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon – silver star and bronze star.