1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment

1st Marine Division

Alpha Company Commander

Captain Douglas Verblaauw
Commanding Officer

Captain Doug J. Verblaauw was born in Ridgewood, NJ, and graduated from Mahwah High School (NJ) in 2001. He attended the United States Naval Academy where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and received a commission as a Second Lieutenant. In July 2005, he reported to Echo Company at The Basic School, graduating with Class 5-05, and entered the Infantry Officer’s Course with Class 2-06.

Reporting to 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (2d LAR) in April 2006, he deployed as a platoon commander in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2006 to April 2007 in Rawah, Iraq. Upon his return, he became the Company Executive Officer for Company D before deploying a second time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February to October 2008 in MNF-West and MND-North. Once 2d LAR returned from OIF 08.2, he served as the Assistant Operations Officer before departing in June 2009.

In June 2009, he reported to 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (1st ANGLICO) where he was assigned as the Firepower Control Team 10 (FCT 10) Leader in Supporting Arms Liaison Team E (SALT E). As FCT 10 Leader, he deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) during WESTPAC 10-1 from May to December 2010. In preparation for and during WESTPAC 10-1, he lead his team during Exercise MOUNTAIN ROUNDUP, a joint USAF-Germany exercise; MAREX 10-1, a joint exercise in Indonesia; Exercise BUNGALOW BREEZE, a joint exercise in the Maldives; Exercise EAGER MACE, a joint exercise in Kuwait; Exercise DESERT FOX, a joint exercise in Jordan; and the seizure of the pirated vessel M/V Magellan Star. From December 2010 to July 2011, he served in the following billets while at 1st ANGLICO: Brigade Platoon Commander, SALT Leader, and SALT Fire Support Coordinator.

From August 2011 to May 2012, he attended the Expeditionary Warfare School. Upon graduation, he reported to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines in June 2012.

Alpha Company 1st Sergeant

First Sergeant Steven Ellison
Company 1st Sergeant

First Sergeant Ellison reported for recruit training in October 1994 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD)in Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completing recruit training; Private First Class Ellison attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Gieger and the Motor Transport School at Camp Johnson. Upon completion, he was assigned the MOS 3531 Motor Vehicle Operator.

In April 1998 Sergeant Ellison attended Vehicle recovery Course 2-98. Upon completion of Vehicle recovery Course, he returned back to 8th Engineers as the Platoon Sergeant for 140 Marines. In August 1998 he attended the Sergeant’s Course 7-98. Upon completion, he was assigned to Operation Fundamental Relief JTF Full Provider 1998 (Disaster Relief) Central America. In April 1999 was assigned to HQ BN 3d FSSG, Okinawa Japan for three years. Sergeant Ellison held the billets of BN color Sergeant for 3d FSSG, Line NCO, Hazmat NCO and Operations chief. In June 2000 he deployed with CSSD-32 Ulchi Focus Lens 2000 as Operations Chief.

In June 2002Staff Sergeant Ellison was then transferred to Field Medical Service School as the Motor Transport Chief. He was then sent to Formal Instruction School to become an instructor. He completed that school then began to instruct Navy Corpsman on Military studies. He was also the Motor transport Chief at the same time. In October 2003, he attended Staff Academy 1-04. He was named instructor of the quarter.

In January 2003 Staff Sergeant Ellison was then transferred to Bravo Battery 1st Battalion 10th Marines as the Motor Transport Chief. Deployed with the 24th MEU in June 2004 to Operation Iraq Freedom II. Requested orders to the Drill Field.

In July 2005 Staff Sergeant Ellison was then transferred to Drill Instructor School, Parris Island, SC, graduated September 2005, assigned to Hotel Company 2nd Recruit Training Battalion where he served as 4th hat, 3rd hat, and EDI. SNM did his quota at RPC receiving where he was a Night Senior Drill Instructor, after quota went back to Hotel Company as a Senior Drill Instructor. Promoted to Gunnery Sergeant October 2007. After being promoted transferred to Golf Company as the Series Gunnery Sergeant and did three cycles.

In October 2008 Gunnery Sergeant Ellison was assigned to Head Quarters Battalion Truck Company Bravo, as the Truck Master. Gunnery Sergeant Ellison reported to 1st Battalion 6th Marines (TAD) as the Motor Transport Chief May 5, 2009. While on deployment to Afghanistan, he was assigned as the Battalion Logistics Chief December 29, 2009 to 24 August 2010. Gunnery Sergeant Ellison reported back to Headquarters Battalion; Truck Company Bravo as Company 1stSgt.

In February 2011 First Sergeant Ellison was assigned to 3d BN 10th Marines Battery K. Deployed with Kilo Battery in support of Unit Deployment Program May 2011 to Oct 2011 Okinawa Japan.

In October 2012 First Sergeant Ellison was assigned to 1stBN 4th Marines Company A.