Major Avila graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2008 and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Officer Candidate Course program in March of 2011, and was assigned the primary MOS of Air Traffic Control Officer.
As an Air Traffic Control Officer, he was assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 2, ATC Detachment A. There he attained his initial air traffic control qualifications as well as qualification as a Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team Leader. In 2013 he deployed in support Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-AFRICOM 13.2 with VMM-162. Upon return he was assigned to MCAS Yuma Air Traffic Control Facility from 2014 – 2017 as the Assistant Air Traffic Control Facility OIC.
Major Avila attended Expeditionary Warfare School from August 2017 – May 2018 in Quantico, VA and upon graduation was assigned as the Marine Air Control Squadron 1, ATC Detachment B Company Commander. In October 2019, he graduated from Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course as a Command, Control, and Communications student.
From September 2019 – May 2020 he deployed in support of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-CENTCOM 19.2. After his return, Major Avila executed Permanent Change of Assignment orders to MCAS Miramar, Air Traffic Control Facility as the Air Traffic Control Facility OIC from July 2020 – July 2022. Major Avila received Permanent Change of Station orders to Marine Air Control Group – 18 in August of 2022, and served as the Marine Air Control Squadron – 4 Executive Officer from May 2023 – April 2024.
His professional education includes Expeditionary Warfare School, Command and Staff College, Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, Air Traffic Control Manager Course, Military Airspace Manager Course, and holds a Master of Arts in Leadership Studies from Marshall University.