Lieutenant Colonel Joel Croskey was born in Pittsburg, California and married his best friend, the former Courtney Hodge, in 2009. Together, they have four wonderful children: Andrew, Emily, Michael, and Abigail.

Joel was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May 2007 following graduation from the United States Naval Academy. Second Lieutenant Croskey subsequently reported to Quantico, Virginia for initial officer training at The Basic School. Following graduation in January 2008, he commenced flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. First Lieutenant Croskey was designated a Naval Aviator on 11 September 2009 and reported to Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California for follow-on training in the AH-1W.

In March 2010, he reported to Marine Aircraft Group 39, Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton and was subsequently assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 (HMLA-169). He deployed twice with the “Vipers” to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Captain Croskey reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Quantico, Virginia in May 2015 to serve as the Company Grade Monitor for all rotary-wing and tilt-rotor pilots in the Marine Corps. While working in the Officer Assignments branch (MMOA), Captain Croskey managed the careers of over 2,500 Marine officers and balanced fleet personnel requirements to ensure the needs of the Marine Corps were met.

In July 2017, Major Croskey reported to the White House and served as a staff officer to the National Security Council assigned to the White House Situation Room. There he served as Senior Watch Officer and later Director of Operations. In June 2020, Major Croskey returned to HMLA-169, where he worked as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer and deployed on Unit Deployment Program 21.2 to Okinawa, Japan. Upon return to CONUS, he assumed the duties of Executive Officer and completed the successful transition of commanders in January 2022. In February 2022, he was selected to serve as the Deputy Chief of Staff, I Marine Expeditionary Force before assuming command of HMLA-169 in January 2024.

Lieutenant Colonel Croskey has logged over 2,500 total flight hours and holds every qualification and designation in the AH-1Z. He is a distance education graduate of the Expeditionary Warfare School and Command and Staff College, and earned master’s degrees in Political Management and Public Administration.

Lieutenant Colonel Croskey’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Strike/Flight Air Medal with bronze numeral “11”, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal with two gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and is authorized to wear the Presidential Service Badge.