Major John A. Howser
Executive Officer, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16
Major John A. Howser, a native of California, commissioned from the United States Naval Academy in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. After completion of The Basic School in 2011, Second Lieutenant Howser reported to the Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG) 21 to commence aviation flight school in Pensacola, Florida.
In 2012, Second Lieutenant Howser checked in to MATSG-22 and Training Squadron 27 for primary flight training in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant in May 2012. Primary flight training completion returned him to MATSG-21 with a platform selection of Marine helicopters and the execution of advanced flight training in Milton, Florida. First Lieutenant Howser completed flight school with Helicopter Training Squadron 28 in July 2013 and was assigned the UH-1Y.
In August 2013, First Lieutenant Howser reported to Camp Pendleton’s Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 303 with the intent to complete fleet replacement training. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in July 2014. An unfortunate injury forced him to cease flight operations and in December 2014, Captain Howser was re-designated into the Aviation Supply Officer, 6602 Marine Occupational Specialty.
Captain Howser graduated the Aviation Supply Basic Qualification Course in May 2015 and executed orders overseas to MALS-36 as the Assistant Aviation Supply Officer. By the end of 2016, Captain Howser assumed the billet as the Aviation Supply Officer and carried out department head duties until his permanent change of station in 2018. During this tour, Captain Howser and the MALS-36 supply department supported six rotations of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and more than ten INDOPACOM theatre exercises and operations.
The 2018 Commandant’s Career-Level Education Board selected Captain Howser for the Operations Research master’s degree program aboard the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. From the summer of 2018 to 2020, he successfully completed the Operations Research curriculum and was awarded a Master of Science in the field with follow-on orders to Training and Education Command (TECOM) in Quantico, VA. Captain Howser completed the Expeditionary Warfare School distance education program in May 2020.
Captain Howser was promoted to the rank of Major in February 2021 and served as the single Operations Analyst within TECOM from the summer of 2020 to 2023. He was assigned to the Analysis and Assessments Branch, Policy and Standards Division. This tour focused on implementing advanced techniques to conduct trend analysis and assist in the various Force Design 2030 and Training and Education 2030 initiatives within the Marine Corps. Major Howser completed the Command and Staff College distance education program in May 2023.
In June 2023, Major Howser assumed his current billet as the Executive Officer of MALS-16 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California.
His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Med