Colonel Sturdevant is currently assigned as the Director, Public Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1975 and served in southern California and Okinawa, Japan before being honorably discharged as a Sergeant in July 1979. He then returned to school receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University in July 1982 and was commissioned through the Platoon Leader Class (PLC) program. Upon completion of The Basic School, he reported to NAS Pensacola for flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in April 1984.
He has served in the following operational squadrons: HMM-364, HMM-162, HMM-365, and was the commanding officer of HMM-165 from July 2001 to May 2003. Deployments include Unit Deployments to Okinawa, LF6F Deployments, 5th Fleet Deployments, and participation in OEF and OIF I. Additionally, he served as a flight instructor in Pensacola, Florida and did a tour with 2nd Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
His most recent operational assignment was as the commanding officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit from June 2006 to May 2008. During that time the 26th MEU deployed in support of LF6F/LF5F and served as the landing force for the LPD-17 Operational Evaluation.
His major staff tours include duty at Headquarters Marine Corps in the Aviation Department's Plans, Policies, Joint Doctrine and Budget Branch (APP) where he served as the Landing Force Programs Officer focusing on rotary wing budget matters and a tour on the Joint Staff in the Operations Directorate where he served as an Assistant Deputy Director for Global Operations.
He attended the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (1987), earned a Master of Science Degree in Management from Troy State University (1990), attended the Army Aviation Officer Advanced Course (1991), received a Masters Degree in Military Studies from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College (1997), completed the Air Force Air War College (Non-resident program) (2000), and graduated from the National War College with a Masters Degree in National Security Strategy (2004).
Colonel Sturdevant's personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 gold stars, Air Medal with a gold star, “V” and the number 2, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.