Robert Alan Fairley
Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps
Col Fairley attended Recruit Training at Parris Island, South Carolina, in 1997. He was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Class program and promoted to second lieutenant in January 2003. After graduating from the Logistics Officers Course in 2004, Col Fairley reported to 2d Transportation Support Battalion and deployed as the Landing Support Platoon Commander to Haiti during Operation Secure Tomorrow as part of the Marine Corps’ first activation of the Alert Contingency MAGTF. Upon returning to the U.S., he transferred to 8th Engineer Support Battalion and served as the unit’s Motor Transport Officer and Platoon Commander. In 2005, he deployed with the unit to Iraq where he managed all battalion motor transportation operations throughout Al Anbar Province. Col Fairley was then selected to serve as the Staff Secretary for 2d Marine Logistics Group.
From 2006 to 2009, Col Fairley served as the Logistics Officer for Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2. He deployed with the squadron to Iraq in 2007, again in 2008, and then he deployed with the unit to Afghanistan in 2009 to embark and establish the first Marine Corps Unmanned Aerial System squadron-level capability in Afghanistan.
In 2010, he transferred to the Department of Defense’s Human Resources Activity where he worked across all Military Services to facilitate the DoD’s All-Volunteer Force recruitment concept. Col Fairley managed 37.5 million records used by all Services to support recruitment efforts across the Department.
From 2013 to 2016, Col Fairley served as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer for 3d Supply Battalion and the Operations Officer for Combat Logistics Regiment 35 in Okinawa, Japan. There he planned and deployed in support of many military operations across the Pacific. In 2016, Col Fairley deployed to Germany to serve in the J-4, during NATO exercise Determined Effort.
From 2017 to 2019, Col Fairley served as a Section Lead at Capabilities Development Directorate, HQMC, where he shaped threat-informed and concept-based capabilities for the Marine Corps. In 2019, he assumed the duties of Logistics Combat Element and Supporting Establishment Branch Head, Total Force Structure Division, where he supported the 38th Commandant’s Future Force Design modernization efforts. In 2020, he assumed command of II Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion and deployed with the Battalion in 2022 to Norway during Cold Response. From 2023 to 2025, Col Fairley served as the Deputy Director for Innovation and Modernization and Assessments within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering) where he accelerated the development and fielding of novel capabilities to support the Joint Force.
Col Fairley is a graduate of Amphibious Warfare School (DEP), the U.S. Army’s Combined Logistics Captains Career Course, Command and Staff College (DEP), and the Army’s Command and General Staff College (with distinction). He holds Masters’ degrees in Transportation and Logistics Management from American Military University (with distinction) and National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School, National Defense University.
Col Fairley is the 2019 recipient of the Admiral Ben Moreell Award for Logistics Competence. His other awards are consistent with those of most Marines who have the honor to serve the U.S. at home and overseas.