Lieutenant Colonel Christian R. Felder

Officer Candidates School Executive Officer

Lieutenant Colonel Felder enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in March 1996 and attended Boot Camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina where he was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class upon graduation.  Following Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, Private First Class Felder reported to the Cryogenics Course (MOS 6075) for training at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina.  Upon completion, he was assigned to Naval Air Station, Atlanta, Georgia for reserve training.

In December 1996, Private First Class Felder reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 42, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, where he served in the Aviation Ground Support Equipment Section.  While assigned to the squadron, he was promoted through the ranks to Sergeant.  During this time, Sergeant Felder also attended North Georgia College & State University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.  After graduation, Sergeant Felder commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. 

Through the Platoon Leader’s Class, Second Lieutenant Felder attended The Basic School and subsequently Marine Corps Engineer School Officers Course.  His first assignment as an officer was with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan in April 2002.  He held various billets during his tour to include: Construction Platoon Officer in Charge, Company Executive Officer, and the Squadron Armory Officer. 

In June 2003, First Lieutenant Felder transferred to Third Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, First Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, California.  While assigned as the Battalion Engineer Officer, he deployed to support OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, from August 2004 until April 2005. 

Upon returning from Iraq in 2005, First Lieutenant Felder received orders to Marine Corps Engineer School.  He was promoted to Captain and assigned to Combat Engineer Instruction Company where he served as the Academics Officer, Company Executive Officer, and Company Commander until July 2008 when he transitioned to Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) in Quantico, Virginia.

After graduating EWS, Captain Felder reported to 8th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB) and deployed as the Charlie Company Commander from May to November 2009 in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) 9.1.  Returning from the deployment, Captain Felder was selected to deploy again with his company and provided engineer support to Combat Logistics Battalion 2 while in support OEF 10.2 from July 2010 to February 2011.  Upon returning to 8th ESB, he served as the Battalion’s Operations Officer for the Remain Behind Element until his transfer to Quantico, Virginia in July 2011. 

Captain Felder was promoted to the rank of Major while assigned to Training and Education Command’s MAGTF Staff Training Program (MSTP). At MSTP, Major Felder supported the MAGTF Branch as an Observer, Trainer, Collector before transitioning to the Operations Section serving as an Exercise Design Action Officer and the Assistant Operations Officer. During this time Major Felder completed the Non-resident Command and Staff College Course.

In June 2014, Major Felder transitioned to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina for duty where he served as the Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 Operations Officer.  In July 2017, he reported to Quantico, Virginia to work at Marine Corps Combat Development Command, where he served as the Ground Combat Element Division – Force Protection, Explosive Hazards Defeat Branch Head.  In 2018, Lieutenant Colonel Felder was promoted to his present rank.

Lieutenant Colonel Felder transitioned to Officer Candidates School in May 2020 where he currently serves as the Executive Officer.

His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.