Major Mitchell A. Criger enlisted in the United States Navy in 1988 and served aboard the U.S.S Forrestal from 1988-1990 participating in two Sixth Fleet Deployments to the Mediterranean Sea.

After his discharge from the Navy, Major Criger attended the University of Kansas where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May of 1994 through the Platoon Leaders Class program.

Upon graduation from The Basic School in April 1995, Major Criger reported to Pensacola, Florida for flight training. During advanced flight training he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant and was designated a Naval Aviator in June of 1997.

After completing flight training in Florida, Major Criger reported to HMT-204 at MCAS New River where he was designated a Helicopter Second Pilot in the CH-46E and reassigned to HMM-266 where he would serve from November of 1997 to May of 2002. While with the Fighting Griffins, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and served as S-5 Officer, Airframes Officer, Flightline Officer and Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer. He completed two Landing Force Sixth Fleet (LF6F) deployments with HMM-266(REIN)/24 MEU(SOC) during this tour, participating in Embassy Security Operations in Albania, Humanitarian Operations in the Federal Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Operation ALLIED FORCE, and Operation RAPID CHEETAH along with various multinational and joint exercises.

In June of 2002 Maj Criger was transferred to HMM(T)-164 at MCAS Camp Pendleton where he would serve as a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor Pilot, Quality Assurance Officer, CH-46E NATOPS Program Manager and Director of Safety and Standardization. In August of 2004 Major Criger was promoted to his current rank.

In June of 2005 Major Criger reported to First Marine Regiment where he served as Regimental Air Officer. While at First Marines Major Criger volunteered to serve as an augment Air Officer with First Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) where he participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07.

In June of 2006, Major Criger was transferred to United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

After graduating from Command and Staff Major Criger reported to HMM(T)-164 for CH-46E refresher training. After completing refresher training he reported to HMM-364 where he has served as Director of Safety and Standardization, Operations Officer and in his current billet as Executive Officer.

Major Criger’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three Gold Stars, Navy Achievement Medal with two Gold Stars, Air Medal w/numeral 3 and various other service, theater and unit awards.