Lieutenant Colonel Greg Watten was born in El Toro, California. In 2006, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Upon completion of The Basic School, he reported to Flight School in Pensacola, FL and was designated a Naval Aviator in November 2008.
First Lieutenant Watten reported to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39 for initial training in the UH-1N at Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303. In April 2009, he reported to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267. In 2009, he deployed on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and upon return converted to the UH-1Y. In 2011, he deployed to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
In 2012, Captain Watten attended Weapons and Tactics Instructor course, and joined HMLA-367. Immediately upon checking in, he moved with the squadron to MCB Kaneohe Bay to stand up the first HMLA in Hawaii. He participated in multiple exercises to include Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) and 12 Detachments for Training (DFT) to various Hawaiian Islands.
In 2015, Captain Watten reported to MAWTS-1 as a UH-1Y Instructor Pilot. He served multiple billets over his three years there including Academic Assessment Officer, Assistant Academics Officer, and UH-1 Division Head. While there, he also served as the UH-1 Assault Support and BRITESTAR Subject Matter Expert (SME) as well as the lead instructor for multiple major evolutions.
In May 2018, Major Watten joined HMLA-469 and immediately deployed to the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) on Okinawa, Japan where he assumed the billet of Director of Safety and Standardization. Upon redeployment, he took over as Operations Officer leading the squadron through multiple Detachments for Training (DFT) as well as Service Level Training Exercise (SLTE).
In May 2020, Major Watten deployed to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and assumed the billet of Executive Officer (XO) for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 Reinforced (REIN).
In November 2020, Major Watten redeployed to MAG-39 and assumed the billed of Assistant Operations Officer.
In April of 2021, Major Watten reported to HQMC (AVN) to assume the billet of H-1 Requirements Coordinator in AWS-53.
In June of 2023, Lieutenant Colonel Watten reported to MAG-39 to assume Command of HMLA-367 in Camp Pendleton, CA in November of 2023..
Over the past 15 years, Lieutenant Colonel Watten has held billets in various operations, safety, and maintenance departments. He has completed training across a range of fields including Weapons and Tactics Instructor courses, Aviation Safety and Crew Resource Management Instructor courses. His most cherished accomplishment was successfully embarking a Covid free unit onto United States Navy Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and maintaining a Crisis Reaction Force for III MEF.