Lieutenant Colonel Taylor A. Drake graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2005 with a commission in the Marine Corps. Immediately after graduation, Second Liutenant Drake attended Georgetown University, graduating in December 2005 before beginning The Basic School in January, 2006.
Upon completion of The Basic School and Field Artillery Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC III), he reported to 1st Bn, 10th Marines in January 2007 for duty as a forward observer, guns platoon commander, and executive officer for Battery C. He deployed twice during his time with 1/10: once to Al Anbar, Iraq as a Task Force Military Police (TFMP) convoy security team platoon commander, and once to Helmand, Afghanistan as the artillery liaison officer to 2d Battalion, 8th Marines.
After being promoted to Captain during his second deployment, he was transferred to Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. While there, Captain Drake performed duties as Marine Corps Institute Company training officer, Company B marching platoon commander, Company B executive officer, and parade adjutant. During this time, it was Captain Drake’s honor to perform full honors military funerals, ceremonies for US and foreign dignitaries, Evening Parades, Sunset Parades, and to train his Marines for ceremonial and combat duties.
Following his tour at 8th & I, Captain Drake left the active duty and transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve in January, 2013. During his time in the IRR, Captain Drake completed Expeditionary Warfare School and and attended Texas A&M’s Mays Business School, graduating in 2015.
In February 2015, Captain Drake contacted a prior service recruiter to affiliate with an SMCR unit, and was assigned as the regimental FDO for 14th Marine Regiment. He was promoted to Major and assumed duties as the 14th Marine Regiment Headquarters Battery Commander on 26 June 2015.
After a successful tour as Regimental Headquarters Battery Commander, Major Drake conducted an inter-unit transfer to 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines, where he served as the Logistics Officer and Executive Officer from August 2018 to August 2021. While at 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines Major Drake completed the Command and Staff Distance Education Program. In August, 2021, Major Drake returned to Headquarters Battery, 14th Marines, where he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and served as the Field Artillery Headquarters Fire Support Coordinator until August 2022.
In August 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Drake assumed the duties as the Commanding Officer, 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiments, Seal Beach, CA.
Lieutenant Colonel Drake has a BS from the US Naval Academy in Political Science, an MA from Georgetown University in Security Studies, an MBA from Texas A&M, and a Project Management Professional Certification. He has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals.