SAN JOAQUIN, California –
Marine Corps Col. André T. Harrell assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Joaquin, Calif., in a ceremony on June 22. The ceremony was officiated by DLA Distribution commander Army Brig. Gen. John S. Laskodi.
Laskodi welcomed Harrell into the DLA Distribution family saying, “We only select the best to serve as commanders at our distribution centers. André’s career history shows that he is a gifted leader and the right person to lead this organization.”
Harrell was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1970. He graduated from August Martin High School in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y., in 1988 and later attended Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Fla., where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management in 1993.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 1993 from the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program and became an aviation logistician after graduating from the Basic Qualification Course in 1994.
Harrell’s tours and billet assignments include officer-in-charge, Materiel Management and Supply Response Division at Marine Aircraft Group 31 from 1994 to 1997, in which he also served as Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) Detachment officer-in-charge, Aviano, Italy, from 1995 to 1996; military advisor to the Royal Saudi Marine Forces from 1997 to 1999; deputy director for the Marine Corps Total Force System from 2001 to 2004; department head (Aviation Supply) for MALS-39 from 2005 to 2007; deputy, Aviation Logistics Department (ALD), 3D Marine Aircraft Wing Forward, Al Asad, Iraq, from 2008 to 2009; commanding officer, MALS-39 from 2009 to 2011; deputy chief, Strategy and Policy, J5 Strategy, Plans, and Policy Directorate, U.S. Central Command from 2012 to 2014; Aviation Logistics Support Branch, Marine Aviation, HQMC Pentagon from 2014 to 2015; and assistant chief of staff, ALD, Second Marine Aircraft Wing from 2015 to 2016.
Harrell has a Master of Science degree in Information Technology from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., a Master of Military Studies degree from the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, Va., and a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C.
His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (first oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (gold star in lieu of fourth award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.