Lieutenant Colonel Manna was born in New York in 1985. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Upon completing The Basic School in November 2008, he was assigned to MATSG-21 to begin Naval Flight Training. First Lieutenant Manna winged on 25 March 2011 and received orders to VMFAT-101 in Miramar, California, as an F/A-18 pilot. In January 2012, he was promoted to Captain and took an interest in the new Unmanned Aircraft 7315 MOS. After attending the Unmanned Aircraft Commander's (UAC) Course, Captain Manna was accepted for transition as the 16th 7315 in the Marine Corps.
Following selection and transition, Captain Manna received orders to Marine Unmanned Vehicle Squadron One in Twentynine Palms, CA. He assumed several billets within the Safety Department as well as serving as the Classified Material Control Officer. In May of 2013, Captain Manna deployed in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM 13.1 and 13.2 while employing several UAS from Camp Leatherneck, Camp Bastion, and Forward Operating Base Shukvani. Assigned as the Director of the Department of Safety and Standardization, Captain Manna worked with multi-national forces to reorganize airspace and integrate unmanned aircraft.
Upon returning in November 2013, Captain Manna served as squadron Adjutant and trained on the RQ-21A Blackjack. Captain Manna was assigned as the Assistant Officer-in-Charge of the Marine UAS Detachment aboard the USS Anchorage as part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Captain Manna completed sea trials, including the first Marine-only shipboard operation of UAS. When the deployment was postponed, Captain Manna began training on the RQ-7Bv2, becoming one of the first to qualify on all Marine Corps operated systems at that time.
In June 2015, Captain Manna received orders to Marine Detachment, Ft. Huachuca. During this time, he was assigned as the UAC Course Manager, where he trained all UACs on their way to their fleet squadrons. Also appointed as liaison to the Army's 2-13th Aviation Regiment, Captain Manna integrated Army Gray Eagle assets with the MAWTS-1 Long Range Raid WTI event. It was during this time that he became qualified on the MQ-1C Gray Eagle. Captain Manna soon found himself assigned as the Marine Corps Detachment Executive Officer, where he was promoted to the rank of Major, eventually becoming the Officer-in-Charge of the detachment.
Returning to VMU-1 in July 2018, Major Manna requalified on the RQ-21A and was assigned as the Operations Officer. Focused on training, readiness, and VMU integration, Major Manna was assigned as the officer-in-charge for the ITX 2-20 detachment, where he developed the under-utilized dual aircraft operation capability of the RQ-21A system. In July of 2019 he was assigned the MQ-9A Department Lead. Major Manna deployed-in-garrison, supporting OPERATIONS FREEDOM SENTINEL and RESOLUTE SUPPORT. He was also assigned as the Executive Officer, where he oversaw staff functions in support of both garrison and deployed mission sets.
In October of 2020, Major Manna received orders to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1, Okinawa, Japan where he was assigned the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) Southeast Asia Exercise Planner and Director and Wing-COVID Response Cell. Focused primarily on the Philippines, he worked with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to set conditions for training and interoperability. Challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic and sensitivities in the region, Major Manna advised leadership on processes and procedures, ensuring compliance and regional mandates where understood. It was during this time he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned as the Future Operations Officer, responsible for Marine Aviation participation across all Operations, Activities, and Investments.
In July 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Manna received orders to Marine Aircraft Group 24, where he initially served as the Operations Officer, overseeing the preparation and execution of numerous deployments and exercises. He was later assigned as the Executive Officer.
Lieutenant Colonel Manna's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Commendation Medals, and the Meritorious Service Medal. He is a graduate of Aviation Safety Officer School and has a Masters in Management and Leadership from Webster University. He is also an FAA Certified Private Pilot who is Instrument, Multi-Engine, Commercial, and Glider rated with High Performance and Tail Wheel endorsements. He is also an FAA Certified Flight and Ground Instructor.