Lieutenant Colonel Early is the Inspector-Instructor of 23D Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, San Bruno, CA.
Ben Early graduated from Appalachian State University in 2003. Ben then reported to Quantico, Virginia for Officer Candidates School in January 2005, and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in March. Following commissioning, he was assigned to The Basic School, where he completed the Basic Officer Course and the Infantry Officer Course.
Upon completing the Infantry Officer Course in December 2005, Ben was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 3d Marines. While assigned to the battalion, Ben served as Platoon Commander and company Executive Officer. He deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM twice to Haditha and Kharma, Iraq.
From 2009 to 2011, Ben served as Platoon Commander for 1st Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team in Norfolk, VA. He deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Rota, Spain participating in bi-lateral exercises in France and Israel. Upon return from Rota, Ben assumed responsibility as the company Executive Officer until attending maneuver captains career course in Ft. Benning, GA.
In 2011, Ben moved to Hawaii and joined 2nd Battalion, 3d Marines again. He assumed command of Company G prior to deployment to Okinawa, Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program. He participated in combined arms training in Camp Fuji, Exercise FOREST LIGHT, PHIBLEX and Jungle Warfare Training Center. Upon return to Hawaii, Ben assumed command of Weapons Company. He completed Weapons and Tactics Instructor course in Yuma, AZ and participated in Integrated Training Exercise. He deployed again to Okinawa, Japan participating in a bi-lateral exercise in the Republic of South Korea.
After re-deploying to Hawaii in 2014, Ben moved to Houston, TX as the Company A, 1st Battalion, 23d Marines inspector-instructor. In 2015, Major Early moved to Austin, TX where he assumed the responsibility of Weapons Company Inspector-Instructor. He participated in the Reserve Integrated Training Exercise, as well as the Reserve Mountain Warfare Training Center summer package.
In 2017, Ben moved to Camp Lejeune, NC and assumed the duties of 2d Marine Division, Headquarters Battalion Operations Officer. In the fall of 2018, Ben moved to 2d Battalion, 2d Marines as the Executive Officer, deploying for Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE in Norway and the Unit Deployment Program in Okinawa.
In the summer 2020, Ben moved to Twentynine Palms, CA to assume the role of the 7th Marines Executive Officer. During his tour, Ben participated in three MAGTF Warfighting Exercises, and deployed/re-deployed all four of the infantry battalions in support of Global Force Management requirements across INDOPACOM. In the summer 2022, Ben moved to TTECG and assumed the role of Operations Officer until the summer of 2023.
Ben is a graduate from U.S. Army Maneuver Captains Career Course, Weapons Tactics Instructor course and USMC Command and Staff College (non-resident).