Instructors

Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) Christopher M. Gaitens enlisted in August of 2001.  Graduated from both Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, and Marine Combat Training in Camp Lejeune, NC, as the platoons ‘Honor Graduate.’ 

LtCol Gaitens attended Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia in 2002.  LtCol Gaitens accepted his commission into the United States Marine Corps after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina.

In 2004, then 2ndLt Gaitens reported to The Basic School (TBS) and follow-on training at Infantry Officer Course (IOC).  2ndLt Gaitens would receive orders for follow-on assignment to receive a secondary military occupational specialty of Light Armored Reconnaissance Officer (LAR).

In 2003, 2ndLt Gaitens reported to 3d LAR Battalion (Bn), serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom II and V.  There, he served as Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer, and Company Commander.   In 2006, 1stLt Gaitens received orders to report to the School of Infantry (SOI) to train future LAR Officers, Staff Noncommissioned Officers (SNCOs), and NCOs in doctrine, tactics, and techniques. 

In 2011, Captain Gaitens reported to 1st LAR Bn to assume command of Delta Company. LtCol Gaitens deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). LtCol Gaitens ended his tour serving as the Bn Operations Officer. 

In 2013, Major Gaitens received orders to serve as Inspector-Instructor, Delta Company, 4th LAR Bn.  In 2016, Maj Gaitens again received orders to report back to 3d LAR Bn to serve as Executive Officer.  While at 3d LAR Bn, Maj Gaitens would deploy to the Philippines to serve as Assistant Deputy Director of Operations at the Joint United States Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG) in support of the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Upon a successful deployment, Maj Gaitens reported to the 7th Marine Regiment, where he served as Assistant Regimental Operations Officer. 

In 2019, LtCol Gaitens received orders to report to Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) to serve as a Branch Head and Capabilities Integration Officer (CIO) within the Capabilities Development Directorate (CDD).  During his time with HQMC, he managed (19) different portfolios within the Reconnaissance and Infantry fields.

LtCol Gaitens is a Cavalry Leaders Course (Army), Expeditionary Warfare School, and Command/Staff College (USMC) graduate.  LtCol Gaitens holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a focus on Emergency Management and Homeland Security from Excelsior College.

LtCol Gaitens was married to Brandy Troy in 2008.  They have three children together, and their names are Odin, Loki and Freya. 

LtCol Gaitens personal awards include: Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ combat distinguishing device for Valor (Gold Star), and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star).

Master Gunnery Sergeant Houston was born on January 2, 1976, in Monroe, NC.  In August 1995, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and reported to 1st Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Parris Island, South Carolina for basic training.  After completing recruit training, he attended School of Infantry, Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina.  In January 1996, he attended the Legal Services Specialist Course at Camp Johnson, North Carolina and trained as a Legal Services Specialist (4421).

Upon completion of the Legal Services Specialist Course he received orders to Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA where he served as a Legal Assistance Clerk, Post Trial Review Clerk and, Military Justice Clerk.  During this time, Private First Class Houston was promoted to Lance Corporal and to the rank of Corporal.  

After completing his first duty station assignment he re-enlisted and received orders to 3d Force Service Support Group (3d FSSG), Okinawa, Japan and served as Administrative Law Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC), Legal Assistance NCOIC, 3d FSSG Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor, and the 3d FSSG Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) Legal Chief.  During this time, Corporal Houston was promoted to Sergeant.  After a three year tour in Okinawa, Japan Sergeant Houston re-enlisted and received orders to MCRD, Parris Island, SC, where he served as Legal Assistance NCOIC, Ground Safety Specialist and Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor.  After eighteen months Sergeant Houston was promoted to Staff Sergeant and volunteered for Drill Instructor duty and served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Chief Drill Instructor, Formal School Instructor, Physical Fitness Instructor, and Platoon Commander for the Basic Marine Platoon.  During this tour of duty Staff Sergeant Houston was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.

After completing his tour at MCRD Parris Island, SC, Gunnery Sergeant Houston re-relisted and accepted orders to Marine Air Training and Support Group-21, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL where he served as Legal Services Chief, Combat Conditioning Specialist, Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor, Command Financial Specialist, and the duty of the Ceremonial Chief Instructor assisting Marine Officer Instructors (MOI) at various Collegiate Universities with Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) ceremonial drill.  As the Legal Services Chief he was responsible for providing legal support of more than 3,500 students and permanent personnel completing hundreds of nonjudicial punishments, administrative separations, and courts-martial annually.  

Upon completion of his tour at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL Gunnery Houston was selected and promoted to Master Sergeant and received orders in January 2011 to report to 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, CA where he served as the Post Trial Review Chief and Trial Services Chief.

In 2012, Master Sergeant Houston served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Legal Operation Directorate, Combined Joint Interagency Task Force-435 in Bagram, Afghanistan.  Master Sergeant Houston was directly responsible for providing security to Afghan investigators, judges, lawyers, government officials, and national dignitaries entering Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan in support of the criminal prosecution of detainees at the Justice Center in Parwan. 

After completing the tour of duty in Afghanistan, Master Sergeant Houston received orders in August 2012 to report to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Miramar, CA as the Legal Services Chief.  He became the Legal Services Chief for the Legal Services Support Team-Miramar, with two detachments located at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA and MCAS Yuma, AZ after the re-organization of the legal community.

In April 2015, Master Sergeant Houston was assigned to The George Washington University, Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps and served as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor and was selected and promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant.

In June 2016, Master Gunnery Sergeant Houston was assigned to the Legal Services Support Section, National Capital Region, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia, and served as the National Capital Region, Legal Services Chief.

After completing a two-year tour Master Gunnery Sergeant Houston received orders in July 2018 and reported to I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF), Staff Judge Advocate Office and served as the I MEF, Legal Services Chief.

Upon completion of his tour at I MEF, Master Gunnery Sergeant Houston was assigned to the Legal Services Support Section, National Capital Region, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia, to serve as the Regional Legal Services Chief and after a successful tour, retired on December 31, 2023.

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Good Conduct Medal (9th Award), and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Houston is married to the former Michiko Bell of San Juan, Puerto Rico.  They have five children:  Marquet, Dominique, Azhanique, Dazhanae, and Sanijah.