Lieutenant Colonel Marcus J. “Keebler” Bolen grew up in Esko, MN, and graduated High School in 2001. He attended the University of St. Thomas and graduated in 2005 with degrees in Quantitative Methods in Computer Science and Spanish, earning his commission through NROTC.

First Lieutenant Bolen was designated a Naval Aviator in January 2008. He reported to HMHT-302 at MCAS New River, Jacksonville, NC, in March 2008 for training in the CH-53E Super Stallion. He next reported to the HMH-361 “Flying Tigers” at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, CA, in September 2008, where he served as the Adjutant, Legal Officer, and S-1 Officer. In January 2009, he transferred to the HMM-166 (REIN) “Sea Elk,” 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and deployed on the USS BONHOMME RICHARD in support of contingency operations within the Middle East region. 

Captain Bolen next reported to the HMH-462 “Heavy Haulers” in May 2010, serving as the Schedules Officer, Ground Training Officer, Current Operations Officer, Future Operations Officer, and Operations Officer. In July 2011, he joined the HMH-464 “Condors” as a Flight Officer and deployed to Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, to support Operation Enduring Freedom 11.1. He returned to the Heavy Haulers in January 2012 as the Pilot Training Officer and Assistant Operations Officer. He next attended MAWTS-1 Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course and returned to serve as the Squadron WTI. Captain Bolen deployed in August 2013 with the Heavy Haulers to Afghanistan to support OEF 13.2 and 14.1. He left active-duty May 2014 and joined the reserves.

Major Bolen next reported to Recruiting Station Twin Cities, where he served as the Reserve Senior Marine and Recruiting Support Officer. In December 2018, he reported to the 4th Marine Air Wing Aviation Command and Control Team in Great Lakes, IL. He served as a professional Aviation Liaison Officer, and participated in an exercise in the Pacific. Major Bolen next reported to HMH-772(-), the “Hustlers,” in May of 2021 to serve as the Reserve Executive Officer. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in December 2021. 

Lieutenant Colonel Bolen has over 400 combat flight hours. His personal awards include the Air Medal Strike/Flight award for Individual Action, the Air Medal Strike/Flight award with the numeral “7”, Navy Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal. He holds an MBA from the University of Minnesota.