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Chairman of the BoardThomas M. Howlett, LtCol USMCR (Retired) Lieutenant Colonel Howlett was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He joined the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class in 1960 and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1963. His orders to Active Duty were deferred to allow him to complete a graduate program. While in graduate school he worked as a Computer Programming Instructor for the City of St. Paul Vocational School. Following receipt of his Masters Degree in August of 1964 he was ordered to the Basic School at Quantico, Virginia. Upon completion of his training at Quantico he was assigned to attend training as a Naval Aviator and completed his carrier qualifications on 25 April 1966. His flight status was terminated 15 August 1966 for medical reasons. Based on his experience as a Computer Programming Instructor prior to Active Duty he was assigned to a research and development unit and played a key role as a systems developer for Operation IRONHORSE, a TOP SECRET joint operation involving the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and the National Security Agency in Vietnam. Note: IRONHORSE was declasasified recently. From there he was ordered overseas and served in several assignments in Vietnam. He returned stateside in May 1969 and was assigned to the G-1 Section, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. In October 1969 he resigned his regular commission and accepted a reserve commission. Based on his educational background, his experience as an author, and as a leader in the field of computer technology, he received numerous unusual assignments during the course of his career in the Marine Corps. On June 30, 1989, he was formally retired at MCRD San Diego. LtCol Howlett continued serving on behalf of the Marine Corps in various positions of leadership in the Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association and the subsequent Marine Corps Reserve Association. He founded the Marine Corps Reserve Association Membership Trust after the Association ran into financial difficulties. He also founded the Marine Corps Reserve Association Education Trust. As the casualties mounted during the hostilities following 9/11, he took it upon himself to assisted the wounded through the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment by raising over $130,000 for the Regiment to administer. His efforts were rewarded by invitations as a guest of honor at various Regimental gatherings. He was also honored as a guest at the Commandant's Ball. During his first Commandant's Ball, he was recognized and honored by Col Barney Barnum (MOH) by being coined. Decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V", Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Organized Marine Corps Reserve Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hour Glass, the Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Ribbon with Palm and Frame, Vietnamese Civic Action Ribbon with Palm and Frame, Rifle Expert Badge (2nd Award), and Pistol Expert Badge (4th Award). 
Member of the BoardSgt Seth Synstelien USMCR Seth Synstelien was born to a pastor near Cocoa Beach, FL, spending most of his childhood moving between metro Atlanta, GA, and rural MN. In 2004, he graduated high school from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, MN, and began studies in Bergen, Norway. After returning home, Seth felt a call to service, enlisting in the Marine Corps in 2006 and becoming a reserve Military Policeman. After completing initial training, he accepted activation orders as a command recruiter to support the Iraq War's troop surge in 2007, running a satellite office for a recruiting sub-station in Fergus Falls, MN. Upon completing his orders, he became a deputy sheriff in Becker County, MN, and served with Detachment MP Company, HQ Battalion, 4th Marine Division. In 2008 he was sent to Tifnit, Morocco to participate in bilateral combined arms training for exercise African Lion. Seth and his fellow Marines trained Moroccan soldiers in military police tactics and strengthened diplomatic ties with the Royal Moroccan Army. After returning to the United States, Seth moved to Marietta, GA, becoming a Training NCO with HQ Company 4th MLG while working as a police officer with the Cobb County Police Department. Within days of starting his new civilian job, Seth received activation orders and subsequently deployed with 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines, conducting security operations in Iraq. During this deployment, his team had the honor of executing a mission with Personnel Recovery Marines that successfully brought home the recovered remains of Captain Michael Scott Speicher, the first casualty of the Persian Gulf War. After his deployment to Iraq, Seth returned to HQ Co 4th MLG. In 2011, he received an award for his "outstanding performance" as the Training NCO for Quantico Viper 11.2. He completed the remainder of his time in the reserves as a sergeant, leaving 4th MLG in 2012. In 2013, Seth became a small business owner, consulting for local and international businesses and organizations. While running his business, he continued his education, graduating Magna Cum Lauda with a Bachelor of Science from Post University. He continued to Harvard University, where he received a master's degree and began teaching as an adjunct at a local technical college. His experience as a reservist and non-traditional student led him to join a research team that delved into the experiences and education of military reservists. His team was well-received at academic conferences, and their work was eventually published. Seth currently works for the University System of Georgia's eCampus, fostering student success and designing online courses for the Georgia FinTech Academy. Seth lives in Dallas, GA, with his beautiful wife, Miranda, and his two daughters that look like their mom, Rosella and Eliana. Decorations include: Navy Unit Commendation with star (2nd award), Select Marine Corps Reserve Medal, National Defense Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Navy Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Ribbon with M device, Rifle Expert badge (3rd award), and Pistol Expert badge. Member of the Board William K. Bentley, LtCol USMCR (Retired) Lieutenant Colonel William K. Bentley was born in Portland, Oregon. He Enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1986, and after completing boot camp in MCRD San Diego he was assigned a Combat Engineer (1371) serving with MWSS-371 in Yuma, AZ. Commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1991, he graduated magna cum laude from Oregon State University with a BS in Eastern European Studies and a Russian Studies certificate. After graduation from The Basic School and Adjutant’s Course, he reported to 1st Light Armored Infantry BN and participated in the JTF-Los Angeles riot control. Subsequent assignments included Regimental Adjutant, 1st Marine Regiment, performing full range of administrative and manpower functions for 4 battalions and the Station Adjutant, MCAS Iwakuni. He was released from Active Duty in 1997. Following his discharge he began a law enforcement career with Oceanside Police Department, Oceanside, CA. While working full-time sworn police patrol duties, he joined 3d Civil Affairs Group, Camp Pendleton, as the Group Adjutant, planning and preparing Reserve Marine individual augments and detachments for exercises and operational deployments. In June 1999 he was assigned Assistant BN I&I, 4th Supply BN, Newport News, VA, coordinating all training, personnel, and pre-deployment initiatives for 1200 Marines throughout 10 subordinate units across the U.S. He prepared and executed the BN Mobilization Plan for OEF/OIF in Jan/Feb 2003, during the BN first mob in over 50 years, and served as the senior remaining I&I during Battalion’s deployment. In 2004 he transferred to Mobilization Commmand, Kansas City, MO, as the Director, Reserve Personnel Administration Center, consolidating multiple functions and staff sections into one servicing over 60,000 Marines. He also integrated the Individual Ready Reserve and Standby Reserve Marine functions and manpower planning into the Total Force mission. He completed Joint Staff College AJPME-II, and his writing “Total Force Integration” received Reserve Issues Writing Award. In 2007 he attended the Army Command and General Staff College. Upon graduation, he was selected for the inaugural Homeland Security Writing Award with topic, “Maritime Homeland Security in a Fourth Generation Warfare Environment.” Reporting to the RA Manpower, HQMC, in July 2008, as the RAM-5 Distribution and Total Force Integration Officer, he participated in Service and Joint working groups to define and refine Total Force issues. He revised the AR program staffing goals and systemic structure changes while monitoring AR staffing and manning precedence across the Total Force. LtCol Bentley deployed to NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan in April 2009. He was selected to fill Deputy CoS billet while dual-hatted as XO for the Deputy Commander, Police, NTM-A/CSTC-A. Responsible for coordinating all movements and activities of Canadian Major General Deputy Commander-Police, throughout CJOA developing Afghan National Police sustainable capacity during growth from 96,000 to 134,000. In June 2010 he was assigned as Assistant CoS G-1, 4thMarDiv, MFR, New Orleans, coordinating a full range of manpower, personnel, and administrative functions for nearly 20,000 Marines located in 47 states. In August 2012, he was reassigned as Assistant CoS G-1, 4th Marine Logistics Group, New Orleans and was responsible for coordinating all administrative functions while preparing the Group’s 10,000 Marines for significant Force Structure Review Group reorganization. Will holds a Master of Science in Management from Troy State University, and is designated a Level III, fully Joint Qualified Officer (JQO), with MOS 9702, in December 2010. Decorations include: Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 gold stars), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with 2 campaign stars), and NATO Medal. |