Colonel Craig H. Hullinger
United States Marine Corps Reserve Retired
Colonel Hullinger enlisted in November 1966 and went to Boot Camp at Parris Island. He served with 5th Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion and was meritoriously promoted to LCpl. He was selected to attend Officers Candidate School (Boot Camp Twice!) and Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in January 1969.
He arrived in Vietnam in 24 December 1969, serving with MASS-3 and MWCS-18 in the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. He extended his tour to transfer to the 1st Marine Division, serving as Operations Officer and XO of Division Communications Company and Radio Relay Officer of 7th Comm Battalion. He was in the last Marine Ground unit to leave Vietnam in June 1971.
Colonel Hullinger was discharged from active duty in July 1971 and joined MWCS-48 in the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. He served in several platoons and as Operations Officer and XO. He then served with 4th Marine Division Headquarters and Headquarters Marine Corps.
He returned to MWCS-48 in 1989-91 as Commanding Officer. Part of the Squadron was activated for Desert Storm. He was promoted to Colonel in 1990.
Colonel Hullinger then served MARFORLANT at Norfolk and Camp Lejeune. He completed his 32 years of service as the Senior Officer in the Amphibious Warfare Technology Directorate at Quantico. He retired in 1999.
Hullinger remains active in military organizations as a Board Member of the Military Officers Association of America-Sarasota Chapter, Marine Corps League, Marine Corps Association, VFW, the Marine Corps Reserve Association, and a Board Member for Trot For Tots.
In civilian life he is a city planning consultant. He has served as a city manager and county planning director. He is Vice President of Sarasota Sister Cities. He is married to Beth Ruyle Hullinger and the father of Leigh Ann and Bret.
Hullinger writes several Marine blogs.
