Major Chad E. Craven
Drill Instructor School Director
United States Marine Corps

Major Craven enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 1992 and graduated from 1st Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD Parris Island. Upon completion of recruit training in October 1992, he reported to Marine Combat Training School and then to Computer Sciences School at Quantico, Virginia for MOS training as a Computer Information Systems Programmer (4067).

In March 1999, Sergeant Craven was promoted to Staff Sergeant and reported for duty at Information Systems Management Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In December 2000, Staff Sergeant Craven was selected to the Meritorious Commissioning Program and subsequently graduated with honors from Officer Candidates School, The Basic School, and Communications Information Systems Officer Course, Quantico, Virginia. In November 2002, Second Lieutenant Craven reported for duty at 8th Communications Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During his tour at 8th Communications Battalion, he served as Platoon Commander, Data Platoon; deployed as a Detachment OIC to Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2003 - June 2003 (Kuwait and Iraq); Executive Officer/Operations Officer, Bravo Company; and Company Commander, Headquarters Company.

In August 2005, First Lieutenant Craven was promoted to Captain and reported for duty as Training Officer, Switching Training Section, Bravo Company, MCCES, 29 Palms, California. After spending a year in that billet, Captain Craven became the Executive Officer for Bravo Company and remained in that billet for the remainder of his tour. In December 2006, Captain Craven served as the Officer-in-Charge, Family Escort Detachment for President Gerald R. Ford’s Funeral in Palm Desert, California.

In July 2008, Captain Craven reported for duty as Company Commander, Bravo Company, Marine Wing Communications Squadron-28, Cherry Point, North Carolina. In February 2009, Captain Craven was selected to be the Marine Aircraft Group-40 S-6, and subsequently deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in April 2009 for a year in support of the Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

Major Craven reported for duty as Executive Officer, 2d Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD Parris Island, in August 2010 and served those duties until being selected to be the Director of Drill Instructor School in June 2011.

Major Craven has completed both the Amphibious Warfare School and Command and Staff College education programs. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Computer Information Systems.

Major Craven’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with one Gold Stars in lieu of second award), the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with four Gold Stars in lieu of fifth award), and the Humanitarian Service Medal.