Base Commanding Officer

Richard P. Flatau, Jr.
Colonel, United States Marine Corps

Colonel Flatau is the Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

In May 1983 he earned a Bachelor of Science, Decision Sciences from George Mason University, and a commission as second lieutenant, United States Marine Corps Reserve. He graduated from The Basic School in May 1984, and from the Marine Corps Aviation Supply Officer Basic Qualification Course, Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, Georgia in August 1984.

In September 1984 he joined Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station (Helicopter) Tustin, California serving in Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 16; later as a first lieutenant in Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (Composite), 11th Marine Amphibious Unit in USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3) in the Western Pacific January-July 1987; and, again in HAMS-16 until April 1988.

Promoted to captain in May 1988, he served in the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet in San Diego, California until July 1991.

He attended the Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, Virginia, August 1991-May 1992.

From June 1992 to June 1993 Captain Flatau was assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, MAG-36, 1st MAW at MCAS, Futenma on Okinawa, Japan as the Logistics (S-4) Officer; he temporarily served in I Marine Expeditionary Force's/Combined Joint Task Force Somalia's headquarters for Operation RESTORE HOPE December 1992-April 1993.

In August 1993 he reported to MALS-31, MAG-31, 2d MAW at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina. He was the Logistics Officer (S-4) until promoted to major in September 1994. He became the Assistant Operations and Training Officer (S-3A) until January 1995, and then Operations Officer (S-3) until May 1996.

Subsequently, Major Flatau attended Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, from which he earned a Master of Science, Information Technology Management in September 1998.

Joining the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, Virginia in November 1998, he served in the Requirements Division's Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Architecture Branch as a section head until July 1999, then as the branch head. In October 1999 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

In January 2002 Lieutenant Colonel Flatau reported to MAG-14. From March 2002 to October 2003 he commanded MALS-14; additionally, during January 2003-June 2003 he was Commander of Troops, SS WRIGHT (T-AVB 3)/CO, MALS-14(-)(Rein), MAG-11, 3d MAW (Forward) in Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM. From October 2003 to June 2004 he served in MAG-14's headquarters.

In July 2004 Lieutenant Colonel Flatau reported to the Commander, U. S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic for duty as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Aviation Logistics Division, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, Norfolk.  He was promoted to colonel in May 2005.

In January 2008 Colonel Flatau reported to Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star (in lieu of second award), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star (in lieu of second award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star (in lieu of second award).