Leaders
Executive Officer, Combat Logistics Battalion 26
Major Andrew T. Lester

Maj Andrew T. Lester is a native of Caldwell, Idaho, and attended Arizona State University, graduating in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree in Liberal Studies.   He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003, graduating from Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego in April.  After a short stop at Camp Pendleton for Marine Combat Training, Maj Lester attended the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, to be trained as an Aircraft Firefighting and Rescue Specialist.   Maj Lester was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron-371 (MWSS) in September, 2003, to Aircraft Rescue Firefighting(ARFF) Platoon where he worked as an Aircraft Firefighting and Rescue Specialist for eight months.  He was then attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in May, 2004.    During his assignment with the 15th MEU, Maj Lester was deployed for seven months in support of OIF and Operation Unified Assistance in Sri Lanka.  He conducted humanitarian operations in Sri Lanka and ARFF operations in Al Taqaddum, Iraq.  Upon returning from the seven month deployment, Maj Lester returned to MWSS-371 for two months.  Marine Wing Support Squadron-371 ARFF Platoon was responsible for manning the Twenty-nine Palms airfield while MWSS-374 conducted its workups and deployment to Iraq. After returning from ten months in Twenty-Nine Palms, Maj Lester was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in order to attend Arizona State University.    Maj Lester accepted his commission on December 27, 2011 and attended the Basic Officers Course in November, 2012.  In June, 2013, he reported to Eighth Engineer Support Battalion (8th ESB) for on the job training and attended Combat Engineer Officer Course (CEOC) in July, 2013.  After graduating CEOC in December, 2013, Maj Lester was assigned to Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) Platoon, Bridge Company where he conducted multiple bridging operations. In February, 2015 Maj Lester was assigned to the S-3 to work as the Assistant Operations Officer for the battalion.    In September 2015, Maj Lester was deployed on an Individual Augment tour to Special Operations Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve for six months, where he worked as the Current Operations Officer.  Upon his return in March 2016, Maj Lester served as the Logistics Officer for 8th ESB until July 2016. Maj Lester then accepted permanent change of assignment (PCA) orders to Marine Forces, Special Operations Command(MARSOC) to serve as the G-4 MARSOC Engineer.   In December 2018, Maj Lester was selected for Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS).  Maj Lester finished a successful tour at MARSOC and accepted Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders in July 2019, to EWS in Quantico, Virginia.    Following graduation from EWS in July 2020, Maj Lester accepted PCS orders to 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, 2d Marine Division where he served as the Engineer Support Company, Company Commander.  Maj Lester was selected to the rank of Major and accepted PCA orders to Combat Logistics Battalion 22 to serve as the Operations Officer in May 2021.  In February 2022, Maj Lester accepted PCA orders to deploy early with Combat Logistics Battalion 26 as the Operations Officer under the 22d MEU.    Upon returning from deployment, Maj Lester transitioned to be the Combat Logistics Battalion 26, Executive Officer in December 2022 where he currently serves.    ​Maj Lester's decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with device.