Photo By Staff Sgt. Alfred V. Lopez | Lt. Col. Christeon C. Griffin, the new commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Lt. Col. Christeon C. Griffin relieved Lt. Col. Jason L. Morris as the commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, nicknamed the “Dark Horse Battalion,” during a change-of-command ceremony at the Camp San Mateo landing pad, June 23.
Morris assumed command of 3/5 in 2009 and is moving on to study at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.
“Lt. Col. Morris has done a great job leading the battalion,” said Col. Roger Turner, the commanding officer of 5th Marines. “We have a great opportunity to continue that with Lt. Col. Griffin, who brings a wealth of experience of command and combat.”
Griffin’s service began with his commission through the Officer Candidates School after graduating from Georgia Southern University in 1994. After completing the Basic School and Infantry Officer Course, he was assigned as a rifle platoon commander in Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines.
Griffin has held various assignments in his career, including battalion operations officer, company inspector-instructor and rifle company commander. Before assuming his current command, he served with Company C, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines and 1st Battalion, 4th Marines.
He also commanded Marine Corps Recruiting Station Fort Lauderdale, Fla., which received the commandant’s Superior Achiever Award for three consecutive years from 2006 through 2008.
Griffin served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where his company participated in the initial ground assault from the Kuwaiti border to Baghdad, and Operation Al Fajr, the November 2004 assault on Fallujah.
Griffin’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device, Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two with combat distinguishing device, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and the Leftwich Trophy.
“I’m proud and honored to take over the battalion,” said Griffin, from Memphis, Fla. “It’s humbling to know I’m entrusted with caring for almost a thousand Marines who have distinguished themselves in combat and paid tremendous sacrifices to their country, corps and fellow men.”
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.24.2011 13:04 |
| Story ID: | 72683 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 753 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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