Colonel Eric Rodriguez, a New Jersey native, attended the University of Maryland and during the summer of 2002, completed the USMC Platoon Leaders Course. Colonel Rodriguez received his Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in May 2003.
Colonel Rodriguez was designated as a Naval Aviator in October 2005 and in April 2006 reported to HMH-464. In January 2007, he transferred to HMM-261(REIN), 22nd MEU and deployed in support of contingency operations within the Middle East region. Transferring back to HMH-464, he then deployed in 2008 in Central and South America during Mission Continuing Promise. In January 2010, Colonel Rodriguez transferred to VMM-162(REIN), 24th MEU and deployed as the MEU ACE future operations planner, supporting contingency operations within the Middle East region.
Colonel Rodriguez was selected to attend the United States Naval Test Pilot School. Graduating in December 2011 from USNTPS Class 140, he reported to HX-21, joining the CH-53K Integrated Test Team. He served as an HX-21 experimental test pilot conducting flight test operations in support of the CH-53K aircraft in preparation for the first flight of the King Stallion. In May 2015, Colonel Rodriguez completed his Marine Corps Active-Duty service and immediately joined the Selected Marine Corps Reserve as a CH-53E pilot in HMH-772(-). Activated in February 2016, he deployed to Central America from June to October 2016 with HMH-772(-) as the ACE Operations Officer of the SPMAGTF-SC. From May 2021 to May 2023, Colonel Rodriguez served as the Commanding Officer of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772(-).
After completing his successful command tour, Colonel Rodriguez transferred to Marine Forces South where he served in the command operations center as the Crisis Response Officer and Aviation SME. Colonel Rodriguez activated from February 2024 to May 2024 in support of crisis response actions within the USSOUTHCOM region. Leaving Marine Forces South in September 2024, Colonel Rodriguez transferred to Office of Naval Research serving in Code 35, supporting the USN & USMC air platforms and kinetic weapons portfolios. In December 2025, Colonel Rodriguez transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 49 to serve as the Executive Officer. Colonel Rodriguez assumed his command responsibilities as the MAG-49 Senior Reserve Advisor and Deputy Group Commander in June 2026.
As a civilian, Colonel Rodriguez is currently serving as the Senior Mission Planning Systems Analyst within HQMC DC Aviation, Cunningham Group.
Colonel Rodriguez was promoted to his current rank on 01 April 2026. He has over 2200 flight hours spread across over 20 different airframes, with most of his time in the H-53 aircraft series. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd Award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd Award).