Craig Timberlake enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in May 1977. He was commissioned in August 1984 and later graduated from Mary Washington College, which is in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1989. Some of his assignments where he was responsible for managing and leading organizations larger than 5,000 service members, families, and civilians were; Deputy Commander of III Marine Expeditionary Force, Commanding General of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Okinawa Japan, Director of Manpower Management, Quantico, Virginia, and Commanding General of 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan. Craig has inspired millions and retired in 2018 after serving in the United States Marine Corps through 14 ranks and over 41 years.