MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJUENE, N.C. -- Col. Jeffrey Fultz relinquished command of Marine Special Operations Support Group to Col. Archibald McLellan at the Marine Corps Special Operations Command Headquarters, May 2.
McLellan will be leaving his position as the G-2 of MARSOC to assume the position of commanding officer.
“Going back to roots of being a Marine,” said McLellan. “The thing that makes MARSOC unique is that it’s all Marines. Everyone was a Marine before they came to MARSOC and everyone still is a Marine and with that comes Marine Air Ground Task Force mind set, and expeditionary capabilities.”
McLellan joined the Marine Corps in 1986 and was commissioned in April 1991. He assumed his first operational assignment as a CH-53E pilot for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aircraft Group-26.
Following his time in MAG-26, McLellan served with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadrons 461 and 362, as well as Marine Medium Helicopter squadron 264. During his time he completed two deployments, one to the Caribbean and one with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
In 1998 McLellan was assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One in Yuma, A.Z. as an instructor pilot. In 2000 while serving MAWTS – 1, McLellan was promoted to Major and a year later was recognized by the Association of Naval Aviation as Instructor Pilot of the year.
In 2002 McLellan moved to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Operations Officer and Executive Officer. During his time with the 2nd MAW, McLellan served two tours in the Horn of Africa in support of operation Iraqi freedom.
In 2009 McLellan was assigned to United States Special Operations Command and served as Senior Operations Officer and Directory of the Office of Regional Studies and Surveys. He was also deployed to Afghanistan during his time at USSOCOM.
McLellan’s decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Mertorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star and Navy Achievement Medal.
McLellan was promoted to rank of Colonel in 2012 and was assigned to the G-2 of Marine Special Operations Command. McLellan is assuming command of Marine Special Operations Support Group from Col. Jeffrey Fultz.
Fultz commissioned in 1987 and took his first assignment as platoon commander for 2nd tank Battalion and was deployed to Camp Fuji, Japan. Later Fultz was stationed aboard the USS Nassau in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
After several assignments Fultz returned to 2nd Tank Battalion in 1995 to serve as the commanding officer for Company A. In 2004 Fultz was attached to I Marine Expeditionary Force in Ramadi in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 2010 Fultz assumed duties as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Eastern Recruiting Region, Parris Island, Sound Carolina and in 2011 was transferred to Camp Lejeune to assume command over Marine Special Operations Support Group.
Fultzs’ decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold starts, Navy Marine Corps Achievement medal with gold star and the Combat Action Ribbon.
“I am very proud of what the Marines of MSOSG accomplished over the past two years,” said Fultz. “We have over 85 MOS’s making this the most diverse command I have ever lead. The Marines of MSOSG really do a lot with not a lot of people.”