Col Magrath graduated recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in August 1991. He attended the School of Infantry course at Camp Pendleton, CA and served as an Antitank Assaultman with 1st Infantry Battalion 24th Marines Alpha Company from 1991-1995.
While attending Western Michigan University he joined the Marine Corps’ Platoon Leaders Class program in 1992 and attended Officer Candidates School during the summers of 1993 and 1994. Col Magrath received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in May 1995, having completed his undergraduate degree in Business Management.
Following attendance at The Basic School, he attended Marine Aviation Supply School in Athens, GA. Upon graduating from supply school in December 1996 he was assigned to Marine Aviation Logistic Squadron Fourteen at MCAS Cherry Point, NC until June 1997 when he was selected for a pilot transition and proceeded to NAS Pensacola, Florida for flight training. During this tour he deployed with VMAQ-3 to Aviano, Italy and Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in support of Operation’s DELIBERATE GUARD, NORTHERN WATCH and SILVER WAKE.
From June 1997 to January 2000 he completed flight training at NAS Whiting Field, earning his Naval Aviator Wings. Subsequently, he transferred to MAG 39 HMMT-164, MCAS Camp Pendleton, where he underwent further training and was designated a CH-46E pilot in August 2000.
His next assignment was with MAG-29, HMM-365 in MCAS New River, NC where he deployed on the 26th MEU in support of Operation’s ENDURING FREEDOM and SWIFT FREEDOM in September 2001. Upon returning from Afghanistan he subsequently deployed again in February 2003 to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and to Liberia in support of Operation SHINING EXPRESS/SILENT FALCON.
In June 2004 Col Magrath was transferred, returning to MAG 39, HMMT-164 in Camp Pendleton, CA to serve as a replacement aircrew instructor pilot. In July 2006 he moved next door to HMM-364 serving as the Squadron’s Aircraft Maintenance Officer and deployed again in August 2006 to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
Upon returning from Iraq in 2007 he was transferred to III MEF Special Operations Training Group in Okinawa, Japan serving as the Amphibious Raids Branch Head then moving in 2009 to become the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Air Officer conducting multiple 31st MEU deployments.
In July 2010 he transferred to MCB Quantico, VA, where he served at the MAGTF Staff Training Program as the Aviation Combat Element Section Head and then assumed the billet as the Instructor Group Branch Head. n June 2013 Col Magrath reported to Okinawa, Japan assuming the Commanding Officer duties at Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Futenma. Upon his successful Command tour he was assigned as the Executive Officer of MAG-36 where he was selected to Top Level School.
Upon graduating the Marine Corps War College in 2017, Col Magrath was assigned to the Pentagon at OSD, Cost Assessment & Program Evaluation until 2019.
He took command at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz until May 2021, and is now 4th Marine Aircraft Wing Chief of Staff.
His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, the Air Medal with 13 strike flight awards, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one Gold Star.