Lt. Colonel Nathan Werve retires from U.S. Marine Corps after 22 years

Lt. Colonel Nathan Werve, a native of Geneva, Illinois, recently retired from the United States Marine Corps after completing 23 years of service.

A naval aviator and CH-53E helicopter pilot, Lt. Colonel Werve served across a wide range of operational and leadership roles, contributing directly to national defense, regional security cooperation, and joint mission readiness.

Werve graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Operations and Information Management. He attended Officer Candidates School at Marine Corps Base Quantico during the summer of 2002, where he underwent an evaluation program designed to test and confirm his potential to lead Marines. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in July 2003 and immediately began the pipeline to become a Marine pilot.

After earning his wings as a Naval Aviator in December 2005, Werve was assigned to fly the CH-53E Super Stallion, the Marine Corps’ heavy lift helicopter. Over the course of his aviation career, he deployed multiple times to support real-world operations and combat missions. He served in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, led counter-narcotics operations in Central America and the Caribbean, flew humanitarian relief missions in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake, and supported a presidential security mission to Accra, Ghana, in support of HMX-1.

He also participated in a series of joint and combined training exercises across the United States, enhancing interoperability between Marine Corps, joint, and partner-nation forces.

In addition to his operational deployments, Werve held several advanced flight qualifications, including designation as an Instrument Instructor and Standardization Evaluator in the CH-53E. In these roles, he was responsible for maintaining the tactical and technical proficiency of fellow aviators and enforcing safety and mission readiness across the unit. He also served in key leadership billets, including operations officer and executive officer within multiple aviation commands, where he planned and directed training exercises, flight operations, and combat deployments.

From 2020 to 2023, Werve served as the site commander of the Reserve Training Center at Naval Station Great Lakes and as the executive officer of Marine Air Control Group 48. In these dual roles, he was responsible for the oversight, administration, and operational support of a large Marine command tasked with delivering aviation command and control capabilities.

During this time, he played a central role in planning and executing Gunslinger 22, a large-scale, integrated aviation exercise that brought together active and reserve units from across Marine Forces Reserve and other joint commands.

Werve’s final assignment was with 3rd Civil Affairs Group, where he served on the command team as the Inspector-Instructor. He was responsible for overseeing the training, readiness, and operational planning that enabled the deployment of reserve Marines in support of Civil Affairs missions.

Under his leadership, 3d CAG supported real-world operations in the United States Indo-Pacific Command region, focusing on deterring near-peer competitors and supporting integrated campaigns to address pacing threats in a strategically vital part of the world.

Werve’s personal awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Medal with “V” combat distinguishing device, seven Strike/Flight Air Medals, and multiple Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals. His military education includes the Expeditionary Warfare School, Command and Staff College, the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, and a number of specialty schools focused on leadership, legal operations, safety, and equal opportunity.

Werve and his wife, Megan, who have been married since 2006, reside in South Elgin, with their two sons, Logan and Landon. Megan is a board-certified behavioral analyst and serves as a senior clinic director at a pediatric clinic that specializes in supporting children with autism. Both Nathan and Megan are members of Morpheus, a New Orleans Mardi Gras Krewe, and ride in the parade each year on Fantastic Friday.

Nathan is the son of Tim and Nancy Werve, Geneva.