A native of Plano, Texas, Lieutenant Colonel Kevin M. Heartwell enlisted in the Marine Corps during his junior year of high school. After basic training at MCRD San Diego, he was assigned to Ordnance/Maintenance Company (-), Waco, Texas as a Tracked Vehicle Repairman and Tank Commander on the M60A3 Main Battle Tank, the M88A1 Tank Retriever, and M60A3 AVLB. As a Corporal, he acted as a squad leader and company guide. He also graduated with a B.S. in Sociology from Texas A&M University. Commissioned through the PLC Program, he completed The Basic School and Naval Flight Training and was designated a naval aviator in April 1997.

In May 1997, Lieutenant Colonel Heartwell joined HMLA-169 in Camp Pendleton, California for duty flying the AH-1W SuperCobra. Assigned to HMM-265 in June 1999, he completed a WESTPAC deployment as the ACE S-1 Department Head and flew missions supporting Operation Stabilise in East Timor. Following that deployment, Lieutenant Colonel Heartwell returned to HMLA-169 for another WESTPAC deployment where his billet assignments included Flightline Division Officer, Future Plans/Flight Officer, and S-4 Department Head.

In April 2002, Lieutenant Colonel Heartwell reported to Third Marine Air Wing G-3 where he completed a deployment to Al Jaber Air Force Base, Kuwait in support of Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. His billet assignments included the Air Tasking Order Production Officer and an augmented combat flight leader with HMLA-169.

In June 2003, Lieutenant Colonel Heartwell attended the Command and Staff College at Quantico, Virginia, graduating with a Masters degree in Military Studies. Lieutenant Colonel Heartwell then reported to Marine Corps Recruiting Command G-3 where he served as the Head of Regular Officer Programs (ON/E).

In June 2006, Lieutenant Colonel Heartwell returned to Camp Pendleton, California where he served with HMLA-367 completing two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He held positions as the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Detachment OIC, Aircraft Maintenance Officer, and Executive Officer. Lieutenant Colonel Heartwell executed a third deployment with HMLA-367 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he acted as Detachment OIC and flew in support of Operations Swift Change, Cobra’s Anger I&II, and Moshtarak.

In June 2010, Lieutenant Colonel Heartwell reported back to Marine Corps Recruiting Command as the Assistant Chief of Staff and Command Inspector, completing 24 unit inspections and over 2000 congressional inquiries and commanding general special interest cases.

Following that, Lieutenant Colonel Heartwell assumed his current duties as the Executive Officer of Marine Aviation Training Support Group 22 in Corpus Christi, TX.

Lieutenant Colonel Heartwell’s decorations include the Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal.