MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Col. Barry J. Fitzpatrick relinquished command of the School of Infantry – East Training Command to Col. Jeffrey T. Conner at the parade deck aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Geiger, June 6.
Conner leaves his command as the G-3 for 1st Marine Division Forward after a deployment to Helmand province, Afghanistan.
“I am most excited about the opportunity to be part of the team of great Marines, sailors and families who are responsible for producing young Marines who will go into the fleet and do the things the Marine Corps has asked them to do,” said Conner.
Conner joined the Marine Corps in 1987 through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. He served his first command as a platoon commander for 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment from 1988 to 1991.
From 1991 to 1994, Conner served as Marine Corps Security Forces Battalion Headquarters Company commander in Norfolk. In 1995, he was a battalion advisor with the Royal Saudi Marine Forces in Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. From 1996 to 1999, Conner served as Weapons Company commander with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.
From 2001 to 2004, Conner served as a planner for Marine Corps Forces in Europe and as the plans officer for 2nd Marine Division from 2004 to 2006. He deployed with 2nd Marine Division as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 to 2006. Following his time with 2nd Marine Division, Conner commanded 1st Battlation, 1st Marine Regiment and again deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2007 to 2008.
In 2009, Conner assumed position as division chief for Joint Operations Division in Central Command and worked until 2011 where he returned to 1st Marine Division Forward and deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Conner’s military education includes The Basic School, Infantry Officer Course, U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Command and Staff College, School of Advanced Warfighting and the National War College.
Conner assumed command from Fitzpatrick who received orders to 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force.
Fitzpatrick received his commission in May of 1986 upon graduating from the United States Naval Academy. He was first assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment and served as a platoon commander deployed in support of Operation Earnest Will in the Persian Gulf.
From 1990 to 1993, Ftizpatrick was assigned to 3rd Recruit Training Battalion aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island.
In 1996, Fitzpatrick was deployed in support of operation Joint Endeavor with the NATO Stabilization Force Support Command.
From 1997 to 2000, Fitzpatrick served as the faculty adviser for the Ampibious Warfare School in Quantico, Va.
In 2004, Fitzpatrick deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the brigade advisor for 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Division.
In 2009, Fitzpatrick was assigned to 1st Marine Expeditionary Force where he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and in 2011, he assumed command of School of Infantry – East as the commanding officer.
“There have been a lot of accomplishments here and I don’t hold them on my own shoulders,” said Fitzpatrick. “I just hope I was able to assist those projects and initiatives along so we could do great things for the Marine Corps.”