COLONEL DAVID G. BARDORF, U.S. Marine Corps

Colonel Dave Bardorf enlisted in the Marine Corps September 1991 following his graduation from Skidmore College. Designated an 0311 Infantryman, he was assigned to Company A, 1stBattalion, 6th Marines. After a deployment with BLT 1/6, 22nd MEU (SOC), he was accepted to the Enlisted Commissioning Program receiving a commission in August, 1993. Following The Basic School and the Armor Officer Basic Course, 2ndLt Bardorf reported to 2nd Tank Battalion where he served as a Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer in Company B, and the Company Executive Officer of Headquarters and Service Company from September 1994 - December 1996. 

From January 1997 - August 1999, Capt Bardorf was assigned to the staff of Officer Candidates School. He attended Amphibious Warfare School from August 1999 - May 2000, followed by a second assignment to 2nd Tank Battalion where he took command of Company B and held the billets of Battalion Assistant Operations Officer, Fire Support Coordinator, and Battalion Logistics Officer. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with 2nd Tank Battalion.

From September 2003 - August 2006, Major Bardorf served as the M1A1Main Battle Tank project officer at Marine Corps Systems Command. Following PM Tanks, he attended the USMC Command and Staff College, graduating in June 2007 with an MS in Military Science.

Major Bardorf reported to 1stTank Bn in July 2007 to serve as the Operations Officer and the Battalion Executive Officer. From December 2007 – July 2008, he deployed to Iraq as the Team Chief with MTT 0723 and imbedded with the Iraqi 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Brigade. Upon redeployment, Colonel Bardorf served as the Executive Officer, 1st Tank Bn until his rotation in 2009. 

From July 2009 - April 2011, LtCol Bardorf was assigned to Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps, where he served in the Ground Combat Element Branch as the Armor advocate, the Tank/LAR Occupational field sponsor, the POM Officer, and the Operational Forces Readiness Program Evaluation Board Chair representing DC PP&O. 

From May 2011 – June 2013, LtCol Bardorf commanded Headquarters Support Battalion, MCI-East, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Subsequently, he attended the Marine Corps War College, graduating in May 2014 with an MS in Strategic Studies.  Following MCWAR, he served for a year as a Military Faculty Adviser at the Marine Corps’ Command and Staff College.

From June 2015 – June 2017, Colonel Bardorf was assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense to serve as the Deputy Director and Senior Readiness Analyst for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness.

Colonel Bardorf reported to III MEF in July 2017 to serve as the III MEF Current Operations Officer in the G-3: a position he held until his PCS in June 2019. 

In July 2019, he checked into CD&I and served asthe Director, Ground Combat Element Division, Capabilities Development Directorate until May 2021. He is currently assigned as the Deputy Director, Capabilities Development Directorate.

Colonel Bardorf’s personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and Gold Star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He holds the Honorable Order of Saint George and is the AY14/15 recipient of the Marine Corps University’s Dr. Elihu Rose Award for teaching excellence. Colonel Bardorf holds a MS in Military Science from Marine Corp Command and Staff College, a MS in Strategic Studies from the Marine Corps War College, an MSBA from Boston University and a Professional Certificate in Project Management from Florida Institute of Technology. 

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