Lieutenant Colonel Howard was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 2003.  After graduating from The Basic School, he completed naval flight training and was designated a UH-1N Huey pilot in 2006. 

LtCol Howard was assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA)-367, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG)-39, from 2006-2009, where he completed two combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He then served as the Battalion Air Officer for 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, from 2009-2011, and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  From 2011-2015, LtCol Howard was assigned to HMLA-269 where he completed a deployment with HMM-265(REIN) in support of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).  From 2015-2017, LtCol Howard was assigned to HMLA-773, Detachment Alpha, New Orleans LA, where he served as Squadron Operations Officer.  He transitioned to the Active Reserves in 2017 and was assigned to HMLA-775 from 2017-2020 where he served as Squadron Executive Officer.  

Upon promotion to his current rank, LtCol Howard was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, Department of Aviation, where he served as the Aircrew Programs Section Head and Staff Secretary to the Deputy Commandant for Aviation.  LtCol Howard was selected for command of VMR Andrews in 2021.    

LtCol Howard is a graduate of The Basic School, Expeditionary Warfare School, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course.  He holds a BS in Aviation Management from Florida Institute of Technology.  LtCol Howard has accumulated more than 2,900 flight hours in naval aircraft.