Eric Buer, Director

A San Francisco native, Eric attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where he studied economics and ran varsity track. He was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Class in 1988 and reported to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.

After earning his aviator wings, he trained to fly the AH-1J and then reported to the “Gunrunners” of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, and he earned his qualifications in the AH-1W Super Cobra.

From 1991-1996, he completed multiple Marine Expeditionary Unit deployments throughout the Persian Gulf, Norway, Somalia, and the former Yugoslavia, and graduated from the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Course in Yuma, Arizona.

In 1996, he was a student at the Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia, and returned to the cockpit as the weapons and tactics instructor. In 2000, he reported back to Quantico as a student at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He reported to HMLA-269 to serve as a department head and flight lead and deployed with Amphibious Task Force – East in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) in 2003. 

In 2004, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and reported to Camp Pendleton, California, and assumed command. While in command, Eric deployed into the heart of Iraq’s “Sunni Triangle” in 2004 and then again in 2005. Stationed just miles between the flashpoint cities of Fallujah and Ramadi, supporting US and coalition forces while flying more than 350 combat missions.

In 2006, Eric returned to Quantico, Virginia, as a student at the Marine Corps War College. In 2007, he reported to the Pentagon as a Branch and Division Chief, Joint Staff J-7, Operational Plans and Joint Force Development Directorate. In 2010, he was assigned to the National War College as an Associate Professor of National Security Strategy and Policy. While assigned to the National War College deployed in 2012 to Kabul, Afghanistan as a Special Advisor to the Commander, US Forces Afghanistan.

In 2013, he transferred to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida as the Commander, Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 and retired in 2016 with more than 4,000 flight hours.

Eric's civilian education includes a BA in Economics (Ohio Wesleyan University), an MBA (LaSalle University), an MA in Military Studies (USMC Command and Staff College), and an MA in Strategic Studies (Marine Corps War College).

Personal military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal w/OLC; Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross w/ combat ‘V’; Meritorious Service Medal w/ gold star; Air Medal w/ combat ‘V’ gold numeral 2 and Strike/Flight numeral 17; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ gold star; Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Eric is currently a senior executive for an aviation company. He is also the bestselling author of Ghosts of Baghdad and a nationally syndicated columnist.