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 West. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of OEF in 2012.
In December 2012, Major Savatt was assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command where he served as the Tactical Communications and Special Operations Forces Liaison Element Communications representative in the J-65.
In July 2015 Major Savatt was assigned to 5th Marine Regiment where he served as the Regimental S-6. During this tour, Major Savatt deployed to the Middle East as the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) Command Element (CE) S-6. Following the deployment, the SPMAGTF-CR-CC CE S-6 Section was the recipient of the Lieutenant Colonel Kevin M. Shea Memorial Unit of the Year Award for outstanding communication support.
In July 2017, Major Savatt was transferred to Marine Corps Forces Command where he served as the G-6 Operations Officer and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
In June 2018, Lieutenant Colonel Savatt took command of the Communication Training Battalion, Marine Corps Communication - Electronics School.
In July 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Savatt attended resident Top Level School at the Naval War College, where he graduated in June 2021 with a Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.
In July 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Savatt assumed his duties as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-6, for 3D Marine Division and was promoted to Colonel in August 2023.
In June 2024, Colonel Savatt assumed command of Marine Corp Logistics Base Barstow.
Colonel Savatt's military education includes Top Level School at the Naval War College, Expeditionary Warfare School Distance Education Program, the Marine Corps Command and Staff Distance Education Program (with Distinction), U.S. Army Airborne School, Survive, Evade, Resist and Escape (SERE) School, Martial Arts Instructor Course, and the Martial Arts Instructor Trainer Course.
His personal decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (x2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (x2), Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Spouse: Esmeralda married 19 years, children: Giselle, Nathan, and Kayla