Colonel David C. Forrest graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical/ Aerospace Engineering and was commissioned in 1991.
Colonel Forrest received his Wings of Gold at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas in 1994 and held assignments in the operating forces flying the AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadrons 542 and VMA-311 (OIF II 2004-05), the 24th Marine Expeditionary Units (Kosovo 1999), 15th MEU (OIF 2003) and as Commanding Officer Marine Attack Squadron 231 (OEF 2009-10).
Colonel Forrest’s other assignments include VMAT-203 as a Harrier instructor pilot (1999-02), Headquarters Marine Corps in Aviation’s Manpower Support Branch (2005-08), the Joint Staff, J-8 Program, Budget Analysis Division (2011-2013), HQMC Deputy Director of Operations in Plans Policy and Operations (2013-14), OPNAV, Director of Air Warfare (N98) as the Expeditionary Branch Head (2014-15), and F-35 the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office as the Director, Air Systems Requirements in Washington DC (2015-2016).
His civilian and Professional Military Education includes Warfighting Skills, Amphibious Warfare School (Non-res) and Command and Staff College (Non-res). Colonel Forrest completed his Masters of Business Administration in December 2008 and graduated from the National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces (Eisenhower School) in Washington, DC, with a Master’s of Science in National Security Resourcing Strategy in 2011.
Colonel Forrest's personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Single Mission Air Medal, Air Medal Strike/Flight with numeral "11" Strike device, Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star.