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

In 2003, LtCol 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, LtCol 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, LtCol 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, LtCol Gaitens received orders to serve as Inspector-Instructor, Delta Company, 4th LAR Bn.  In 2016, LtCol Gaitens again received orders to report back to 3d LAR Bn to serve as Executive Officer.  While at 3d LAR Bn, LtCol 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, LtCol 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 (Gold Star), and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star).

R. Scott Cauley was born in Macon, Georgia.  He enlisted into the Marine Corps on 8 August 1990 and completed recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina. Following recruit training, he attended Marine Combat Training and Infantry Training Battalion at Camp Lejeune, NC.  Upon completion, he was assigned as a machine gunner to Casualty Replacement Company (CRC) 16, Camp Lejeune, NC.  While he was assigned with CRC 16 he participated in Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

Lance Corporal Cauley was transferred to 2d Battalion 4th Marines, Camp Lejeune, NC in June 1991 as a machine gunner.  He deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in 1992 and then to Okinawa in 1993.

In June 1994, Corporal Cauley was transferred to Battle Skills Training School, 2d Force Service Support Group, Camp Lejeune, NC, where he served as an instructor.                                           

Sergeant Cauley reported to Recruiter’s School in April of 1996. Upon completion of Recruiters School, he served as a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Augusta, RS Columbia, 6th Marine Corps District.

In July 1999, Staff Sergeant Cauley was transferred to Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, NC where he served as a platoon commander. 

In June 2002, Staff Sergeant Cauley was transferred to 1st Battalion 8th Marines, Camp Lejeune, NC where he served as a platoon sergeant.  In 2003, he deployed with the 26th MEU to Iraq.  In 2004, he deployed to Iraq and participated in Operation Phantom Fury.

In March 2005, Gunnery Sergeant Cauley was transferred to B Company Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, NC. He was the senior Marine of the Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain Facility.

In March 2007, First Sergeant Cauley was transferred to Richmond, Virginia where he served as the Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant for Hotel Battery, 3rd Battalion 14th Marines.

First Sergeant Cauley was transferred to Charlie Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division in April 2010, where he served as the Company First Sergeant.  In April of 2011, he deployed with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion to Afghanistan where his company served as a  route clearance company. 

In February 2012, he assumed the duties as the Sergeant Major of Recruiting Station Richmond.   In June of 2015 he retired from the Marine Corps.

On July 1st of 2015 he started teaching Military Science as the Marine Instructor at J.R. Tucker High School’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps.

Sergeant Major Cauley’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat V and four gold stars, the Navy Achievement Medal with combat V and two gold star, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Sergeant Major Cauley is married to the former Heather Holcomb of Brevard, North Carolina.