Biography
Company Commander, Motor Transport Instruction Company
Maj Zachary E. Weidner
Marine Corps Detachment, Fort Leonard Wood

Major Weidner was born in Granite City, IL and enlisted in the Marine Corps in June of 2004.  Trained as a machine gunner, he was first assigned to Marine Corps Security Force Company Bangor, WA.  There, he achieved the ranks of private first class, lance corporal, and corporal (meritoriously), ending his tour in the billets of sergeant of the guard and commander of reactionary forces. 
 
Major Weidner was then assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.  As a rifle squad leader in Charlie Company, he deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM from July 2007 to February 2008, where he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. 
 
After completion of his four-year service obligation, Major Weidner left active-duty service to pursue a college education.  He graduated from Portland State University in December 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Arts and Letters.  While attending college, he continued serving in the Marine Corps as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee with Mobilization Command and participated in the Platoon Leaders Course program.  After commissioning as a second lieutenant, he attended The Basic School and obtained the Armor Officer Military Occupational Specialty in September of 2014.
 
Upon graduation from the Armor Basic Officer Leader Course, Fort Benning, Georgia and promotion to first lieutenant, Major Weidner was assigned to 1st Tank Battalion in March 2015.  There, he commanded Bravo Company's 2nd Platoon.  Selected to serve as an advisor to the Iraqi Army, Major Weidner was promoted to the rank of captain in July 2016.  Major Weidner deployed in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE as the training advisor to the Anbar Operations Command, 8th Iraqi Army Mechanized Infantry Division, and 10th Iraqi Army Mechanized Infantry Division.  Upon return from deployment, he served as 1st Tank Battalion's assistant operations officer.
 
Major Weidner was then selected for a graduate education program and subsequent service as a company officer at the United States Naval Academy.  He graduated from George Washington University in May 2019 with a Master of Arts in Leadership Education and Development.  From May 2019 to June 2021, he led the Midshipmen of 23rd Company as they completed their education and commissioned as naval officers.
 
Redesignated as a logistics officer, Major Weidner then served as the logistics officer for 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company from June 2021 to June 2022.  In June 2022, he was transferred to 1st Transportation Battalion, where he commanded Bravo Company and was promoted to his present rank.  In June 2023, he was assigned to Marine Corps Detachment Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he currently commands Motor Transport Instruction Company.
 
His personal awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd award), and the Navy and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.