Colonel Mark R. Liston enlisted in the Marine Corps and served as a Machine gunner. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and was commissioned in 1997.
Colonel Liston’s command positions include:
Platoon Commander and Company Commander, 3d Battalion, 2d Marines (UDP)
Company Commander, Marine Combat Training Battalion, SOI(E)
Company Commander, Headquarters and Service Company, 3d Bn, 8th Mar (OPERATION SECURE TOMORROW, Haiti)
Company Commander, Company I, 3d Bn, 8th Mar (OIF Karmah 2005)
Company Commander, Weapons Company 3d Bn, 8th Mar (OIF Ramadi 2006)
Company Officer, U.S. Naval Academy
Advisor Team Leader, 2-1-215 Afghan Army (OEF Garmshir)
Commanding Officer, 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division
Colonel Liston’s staff positions include:
Executive Officer, Company K, 3d Bn, 2d Marines
Operations Officer, Infantry Training Battalion, SOI(E)
Operations Officer, 4th Marine Regiment
Military Faculty, USMC Command and Staff College
Deputy Director, Campaign Analysis Branch, OPNAV Staff
His personal decorations include:
Bronze Star (with Combat Distinguishing Device), Meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star in lieu of third award), Navy Commendation Medal (Gold Star in lieu of fourth award), Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Colonel Liston has master’s degrees from the University of Maryland, USMC Command and Staff College, and the National War College.