Major Rutherford is a native of Yakima, WA. He graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs. Second Lieutenant Harris commissioned in June 2011 having completed the Platoon Leadership Course at Officer Candidates School. From there he went to The Basic School and received the Field Artillery Officer designation in June 2012. He attended the Field Artillery Officer's Basic Course at Fort Sill, OK where he graduated in December 2012. Second Lieutenant Rutherford was assigned to 1st Battalion, 12th Marines Regiment in December 2012.
While with 1st Battalion, 12th Marines Regiment, Second Lieutenant Rutherford served as Company Fire Support Officer, Fire Direction Officer, Headquarters Platoon Commander, Current Operations Officer and Headquarters Battery Executive Officer and participated in
various exercises, a unit deployment to Okinawa, Japan and an individual augment deployment to Qatar. In December 2015, he was promoted to Captain.
In December 2015, Captain Rutherford received orders to Officer Candidates School, Quantico, VA, where he served as Training Company Platoon Commander, Training Company Executive Officer, Academic Instructor and Scheduling Officer.
In September 2017, Captain Rutherford transferred to the individual ready reserve while he attended King’s College London. In January 2019, he joined G-3, 2d Marine Division as part of II MEF IMA program. During this tour, Captain Rutherford served in a range of billets including Assistant Operations Officer, Assistant Current Operations Officer and Assistant Plans Officer. In December 2021, he was
promoted to Major.
Following the end of his tour with 2d Marine Division, Major Rutherford spent 10 months in the individual ready reserve before joining 5th Battalion, 14th Marines in October 2023. In December 2023, he assumed command of Headquarters Battery, the billet he currently holds.
Major Rutherford’s civilian and military education include: Expedition Warfare School Distance Education Program, a Master of Arts in International Political Economy from King’s College London and a Masters in Business Administration from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.
Major Rutherford’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.