Major Howard Mill was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Program at the University of Colorado - Boulder in May 2015 where he received a Bachelor of Arts in History.
Upon graduating The Basic School, Major Mill attended the Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Basic Officers Course at the Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School in 29 Palms, CA. Upon earning his designation as a LAAD Officer, Major Mill reported to 2d LAAD Battalion (Bn) to serve as a Platoon Commander in Alpha Battery. As a Platoon Commander, Major Mill completed the LAAD Enhanced Trainer Instructor Course at MAWTS-1 and supported Red Flag 17-3 in Tonopah, Nevada. In August 2017, he assumed the duties of Battery Executive Officer, where he supported Mountain Exercise 1-18 in Bridgeport, California, and Arctic Edge 18 in Alaska.
In June 2018, Major Mill was selected to serve as the Theater Security Cooperation Officer for the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response --Africa (SPMAGTF-CR-AF) 19.1 rotation, based out of Sigonella, Italy. In preparation for the deployment, he completed the AFRICOM Foreign Disclosure Officer (FDO) Course in Stuttgart, Germany, the Joint Humanitarian Operations Course, and the Expeditionary Warfare Staff Planning Course with Expeditionary Warfare Training Group-Atlantic.
Upon returning from the SPMAGTF, Major Mill received orders to Combat Development Directorate (CDD), Combat Development and Integration (CD&I) and reported in July 2019. During his tenure there, he served as the Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) Capabilities Integration Officer (CIO). While at CD&I, Major Mill wrote the Capabilities Development Documents for both MADIS and L-MADIS, allowing them to become Programs of Record. Also during his tour, Major Mill completed Expeditionary Warfare School through the Blended Seminar in May 2021 and Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) 2-22 in April 2022.
In June 2022, Major Mill rejoined 2d LAAD Bn. After initially serving as the Assistant Operations Officer, he activated and assumed command of Charlie Battery in November 2022. As Battery Commander, Major Mill supported Eagle Resolve 23 in Saudi Arabia, WTI 1-24, and Service Level Training Exercise 2-24. From May to November 2024 he led the battery on the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) 24.2 in Okinawa, Japan. While on the UDP, the battery conducted multiple bilateral exercises with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Republic of Korean Marine Corps and supported real-world operations in support of Marine Air Group 36. He also completed the U.S. Army's Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Officer (ADAFCO) Course in July 2023.
Upon conclusion of his tour as a Battery Commander in January 2025, Major Mill was briefly assigned to Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 28 before his PCS to MACG-18 in July. While at MACG-18, Maj Mill served as the Current Operations Officer where he oversaw the planning and coordination for the first Medium Range Intercept Capability live fire in the FMF. During this time he also completed a Master's of Art in Leadership from Marshall University, the Joint All Domain Operations Course, and Command and Staff Blended Seminar. Major Mill currently serves as the Executive Officer for Marine Air Support Squadron 2.
His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.