Executive Officer
Maj Nicholas M. Culver

Major Nicholas Culver enlisted in the United States Navy Delayed Entry Program (DEP) on 24 October 2001 in Pittsburgh, PA. Seaman Recruit Culver subsequently reported to Recruit Training Command (RTC), Great Lakes.

After completion of RTC, Seaman Culver reported to Naval Air Station, Meridian, MS to attend Disbursing Clerk (DK) “A” School. Following DK “A” School, DKSN Culver reported aboard USS CAMDEN (AOE-2) located at NAVSTA Bremerton, WA and deployed on August 2003 with the LINCOLN CARRIER STRIKE GROUP in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and operations in the Northern Arabian Gulf. 

While deployed aboard USS CAMDEN, DKSN Culver successfully earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS), Aviation Warfare (AW) pin, and was promoted from Disbursing Clerk Seaman (SW/AW) to Disbursing Clerk Third Class (SW/AW). Additionally, DK3(SW/AW) Culver applied for and received a Secretary of the Navy and Congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy for direct entry to the Class of 2007.  

On 25 May 2007, Major Culver graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (with distinction) and was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps. After completion of The Basic School, Major Culver attended primary and helicopter advanced flight training in Milton, FL at NAS Whiting Field. 

On 11 September 2009, Major Culver was designated a Naval Aviator and was selected to fly the venerable CH-46E Sea Knight aboard MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA. Once complete at the Fleet Replacement Squadron, Major Culver reported to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364. While at HMM-364, Major Culver served in a variety of billets to include Adjutant, Legal Officer, Phase OIC, Flight Equipment OIC, Flight Duty Officer, and Current Operations Officer.

In September 2012, HMM-364(REIN) deployed with the 15th MEU aboard USS PELELIU (LHA-5) as the forward deployed ready-force. While deployed, HMM-364(REIN) participated in numerous Theatre Security Cooperation operations. Of note, the 15th MEU was the last deployment for the CH-46E before transitioning to the MV-22B. 

After returning from the 15th MEU in May 2012, Major Culver began transition/conversion training to the KC-130J aboard MCAS Miramar, CA. After completion of the Fleet Replacement Detachment-West, Major Culver reported to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352(VMGR-352) aboard MCAS Miramar. 

While at VMGR-352, Major Culver served as the NATOPS Officer and Powerline OIC. Additionally while deployed, he served as the Future Operations Officer on his first deployment to Kuwait and as the Assistant Operations Officer (AOPSO) for VMGR-352 Detachment Alpha and Bravo and the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command (SPMAGTF-CRCC) on his subsequent deployment. While attached to SPMAGTF-CRCC, Major Culver was deployed Kuwait planning and executing combat operations in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE throughout Iraq and the Central Command areas of operation. Additionally, as FOPSO and later as AOPSO on his second deployment to Kuwait, Major Culver helped plan and facilitate dynamic operations in direct support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE. 

Upon his return from SPMAGTF-CRCC, in August 2016, Major Culver reported to VMGR-252 at MCAS Cherry Point, NC to serve as the Aircrew Training Officer and Current Operations Officer before attending Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course (WTI) 17.2. After his return from WTI, Major Culver was the Pilot Training Officer, and subsequently the Assistant Operations Officer — focusing on training requirements, aircrew progression, and detachment readiness.     

In March 2018, Major Culver transferred to the KC-130J Fleet Replacement Detachment where he served as the KC-130J Fleet NATOPS Evaluator, Fleet Replacement Instructor, Administrative Officer, Aviation Safety Officer, and Safety and Standardization Officer.

In June 2019, Major Culver left the KC-130J FRD to attend Intermediate Level School (ILS) at the Canadian Forces College (CFC) in Toronto, ON Canada and earned a Masters in Defense Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada.

Following ILS, Major Culver transferred to VMGR-152 where he served as the Assistant Operations Officer and Operations Officer. On 1 October 2021, Major Culver moved to his current billet as the Executive Officer.

He is married to the former Jenifer Smale and they have two children: Camden (8) and Cohen (7).

 

 

 

1st Marine Aircraft Wing