Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Lauterbach was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He earned his bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant via the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Following completion of The Basic School, he attended Air Support Officers Course, and was assigned to Marine Air Support Squadron (MASS) 1 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.
While at MASS-1, Second Lieutenant Lauterbach commanded two platoons and deployed twice with 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), once to Afghanistan in 2004, and once to Iraq in 2005-6. He completed his tour at MASS-1 as a company executive officer.
In 2006 he was ordered to naval flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola and Whiting Field, Florida. Captain Lauterbach was then assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303 at MCAS Camp Pendleton, California, where he was designated a UH-1Y Huey pilot.
Following initial training in the UH-1Y, Captain Lauterbach was assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, serving as a schedule writer, current operations officer, and assistant logistics officer. He deployed with the squadron to Afghanistan in 2010.
In 2011, Captain Lauterbach was assigned to MASS-3, serving as a company commander. He commanded MASS-3’s detachment in Afghanistan in 2012-2013. Returning from Afghanistan, he attended Weapons and Tactics Instructor’s Course, and was assigned as the squadron’s Weapons and Tactics Instructor, and later, as the squadron’s operations officer. In 2013 he was promoted to major.
In 2014, Major Lauterbach commanded Marine Air Control Group-38 (Forward), supporting operations in Afghanistan. Upon return from deployment, Major Lauterbach was assigned as the MACG-38 Plans Officer and later, as the MACG-38 Assistant Operations Officer.
In 2015, Major Lauterbach was assigned to Marine Corps Systems Command where he served as Assistant Product Manager and Integrated Product Team Lead for the Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S), an Acquisition Category I program in the PEO-Land Systems portfolio.
In 2018, Major Lauterbach reported as a student to Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and subsequently, to the School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW). In September 2020 he was promoted to his present rank. Following graduation, he reported to 2d Marine Aircraft Wing for duty as the plans officer.
In June 2023 he assumed command of Air Control Training Squadron.
Lieutenant Colonel Lauterbach has attended Officer Candidates School, The Basic School, Air Support Officers Course, Fire Support Coordinator’s Course, Naval Flight Training, MAGTF Fires Course, Weapons and Tactics Instructor’s Course, Joint Targeting Staff Couse, Expeditionary Warfare School (Non-resident), Marine Corps Command and Staff College (Resident and Non-Resident; Distinguished Graduate), the School of Advanced Warfighting, and Air War College (non-resident). He holds Level 2 Certification in Program Management in the Defense Acquisition Workforce, and the Red Team Member MOS. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Master of Military Studies and Master of Operational Studies degrees from Marine Corps University.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Air Medal with Strike/Flight Numeral “4”, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and the Combat Action Ribbon.