LtCol Scott “Richard” Symons graduated from Rochester Adams High School in 1998. He attended Western Michigan University where he graduated with a BS in Aviation Flight Science in 2002. He completed OCS and TBS and immediately reported to Pensacola, FL to undergo pilot training in the summer of 2003. LtCol Symons was winged in May, 2005, after attending Primary Flight School at Vance AFB, Oklahoma and advanced flight training at NAS Kingsville, TX. Upon receiving his wings of gold, he reported for FRS training with VMFAT-101 at MCAS Miramar.
In August of 2006, LtCol Symons reported to the Death Rattlers of VMFA-323 at MCAS Miramar. During his tour with the Snakes, he served as a Schedules Officer, Flight Officer, Landing Signals Officer and Quality Assurance Officer. LtCol Symons deployed with VMFA-323 while attached to Carrier Air Wing 9 (CVW-9) aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in 2007, and participated in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In 2009, he again deployed with CVW-9 and the USS Stennis in support of a Western Pacific Cruise.
In August, 2009, LtCol Symons reported to the SharpShooters of VMFAT-101 as an Instructor Pilot. While serving with the SharpShooters, he held billets as a Schedules Officer, Powerline Division Officer, Training Qualified Landing Signals Officer and Assistant Carrier Qualification Phase Head. In 2011, he was identified as the VMFAT-101 Instructor Pilot of the Year.
LtCol Symons reported to the Naval Safety Center, Norfolk, VA in the summer of 2012 to serve as the Legacy Hornet (F/A-18 A-D) Safety Analyst for the United States Navy and Marine Corps. In addition to his duties with the Naval Safety Center, he continued to fly as an Instructor Pilot with the Gladiators of VFA-106, the Navy’s east coast Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA.
In the summer of 2015, LtCol Symons reported to VMFA-115 for duty as a Department Head. He has deployed to MCAS Iwakuni for the Unit Deployment Program and most recently to the CENTCOM AOR in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. During his tenure with the Silver Eagles, he has served as the Assistant Operations Officer, Operations Officer, Executive Officer, Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Director of Safety and Standardization.
Effective August 2019, LtCol Symons reported to U.S. Marine Forces Command, Norfolk, VA for duties as the Aviation Financial Management Branch Head within the G-8. Following this assignment in the summer of 2021, he reported to Marine Aircraft Group 11 to serve as the Executive Officer.
LtCol Symons’s additional education includes Expeditionary Warfare School, Command and Staff, and a Master’s of Science Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air/Strike Flight Medal(6), three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. He is married to Sarah and they have four children, Tyler (9), Katherine (7), Owen (4) and Evelyn (2).