Biography

A native of Elkin, North Carolina, LtCol Woodward was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 7 June 2008 after graduating from Officer Candidate School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Upon graduation from The Basic School and the Air Intelligence Officer Course, he was assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. During this tour, he served as the squadron intelligence officer, attended the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, and deployed on board USS RONALD REAGAN with Carrier Airwing 14 in support of Operation TOMODACHI and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

After returning from deployment in 2011, LtCol Woodward received orders to the I Marine Expeditionary Force Advisor Training Group and deployed as the intelligence advisor to the Afghan Uniformed Police 707th Zone Headquarters in Lashkar Gah from 2012-2013.

In May 2013, LtCol Woodward reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California to begin the Foreign Area Officer program. After graduating with a Masters in Strategic Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School and the Defense Language Institute Mandarin Chinese program, LtCol Woodward reported to US Embassy Beijing, China for in-country training.

In January 2017, LtCol Woodward attended the MAGTF Intelligence Officer Course in Dam Neck, VA and received follow-on orders to 10th Marine Regiment to serve as the regiment’s intelligence officer. During this tour, LtCol Woodward deployed to northern Syria to serve as the Task Force intelligence officer as part of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.

After returning from Syria in 2017, LtCol Woodward reported to 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade to serve as the deputy AC/S G-2, during which he participated in theater security cooperation exercises and engagements in the EUCOM area of responsibility, as well as the 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade-led COVID-19 pandemic response in New England.

In July 2020, LtCol Woodward reported to Marine Detachment Dam Neck, Virginia to serve as the course director for the MAGTF Intelligence Officer Course. He then served as the Advanced Training Company Commander from July 2021 to June 2022 and the Marine Detachment Dam Neck Executive Officer from June 2022 to June 2023. LtCol Woodward reported to the Marine Corps Information Operations Center in August 2023 and assumed duties as the unit’s Intelligence Officer. LtCol Woodward has served as the MCIOC Executive Officer since April 2024.

LtCol Woodward’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two gold stars in lieu of third award), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

LtCol Woodward is married, and he and his wife are the proud parents of two daughters.