Colonel Russell W. Savatt was born in Poway, CA. He attended Platoon Leaders Class Juniors and Seniors, graduating Officer Candidate School in 2000 as the Company E Honor Graduate. Upon graduation from the Virginia Military Institute in 2001, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. Following The Basic School, Lieutenant Savatt attended the Communications and Information Systems Officers Course in Quantico, VA, acquiring the PMOS of 0602. Upon completion of MOS training, Lieutenant Savatt was assigned to Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38. He served as the Multi-Channel Radio Platoon Commander and Executive Officer for Company A. During his tour, he deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) I in 2003, OIF II in 2004, and OIF III in 2005. He was promoted to Captain at the end of his tour. In January 2006, Captain Savatt was assigned to 1st Marine Division where he served as the G-6 Operations Officer. Later that year, he deployed to the Middle East as an Individual Augment with Central Command J-6 to be a Network Operations Watch Officer in support of OIF and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). In August 2006, Captain Savatt was assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. During this tour, Captain Savatt was the Battalion S-6, Commanding Officer for Headquarters & Service Company, and Battalion Executive Officer. While assigned to the Battalion, Captain Savatt deployed to Iraq in support of OIF in 2007 and again in 2008. In May 2009, Captain Savatt was assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. Captain Savatt served as the Battalion S-6a and Battalion S-6. In 2011, he was promoted to Major and assigned as the Commanding Officer for Headquarters and Service Company, Special Operations Task Force 81 and Special Operations Task Force W