Lieutenant Colonel Robert Morgan enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1987. While attending Virginia Tech, he was activated with Bravo Company, 4th Combat Engineer Company in Roanoke, Virginia for Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. Upon return, he completed the Platoon Leaders Course and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May of 1993. Prior to attending The Basic School (TBS), he attended Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
After TBS, he was assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida and was designated a Naval Aviator in May 1997. He then reported to Marine Helicopter Training Squadron (HMT) 303, MCAS Camp Pendleton, California for training in the AH-1W Super Cobra.
His first fleet assignment was with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 167, Marine Aircraft Group 26 at MCAS New River, North Carolina from 1997 to 2001. During this period, he supported multiple Combined Arms Exercises in 29 Palms, California, and deployed with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) Reinforced 264 as part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC). LtCol Morgan held several billets in the squadron to include: S-5 Officer, Airframes Division Officer, AH-1W Pilot Training Officer, and the S-4 Officer.
From September 2001 until August 2003, LtCol Morgan was assigned to HMT-303 as an AH-1W Instructor Pilot and served as the S-4 Officer and the AH-1W NATOPS Officer.
In August 2003, LtCol Morgan reported to Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMX) One in Quantico, Virginia, where he flew the VH-3D, VH-60N, and CH-46E. Designated a Command Pilot and Marine One, LtCol Morgan flew the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States and other dignitaries, both in Washington D.C. and at trip sites around the world. LtCol Morgan held billets in Operations, Maintenance, and was the Plans Department Head.
In July 2007, LtCol Morgan reported to Marine Aircraft Group 26 and deployed to Iraq as the Al Qaim Airboss. While in Iraq he flew with multiple HMLA detachments in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. On return, he served as the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) Current Readiness Officer for the MV-22 and then joined Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 Reinforced as the Operations Officer and the H-1 Det OIC. After deploying with the 22nd MEU, LtCol Morgan returned to MAG-26 and served as the Operations Officer.
LtCol Morgan returned to TBS in July 2010 where he served as the Executive Officer until April 2011. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Air Medal with Strike/Flight Numeral "1", Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star, and the Combat Action Ribbon.