Lieutenant Colonel Shane Bladen is a native of Otsego, Michigan and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant through Officer Candidate School on 16 December 2005.
Upon completing The Basic School and Air Support Control Officer Course in 2006, Second Lieutenant Bladen reported to Marine Air Support Squadron 1 (MASS-1) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Between 2007 and 2011, 2ndLt Bladen deployed once with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) to CENTCOM and INDOPACOM, twice with Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 to Iraq and Afghanistan, and once with MASS-1 to Afghanistan.
Captain Bladen executed PCS orders to the Joint Guam Program Office in March 2012 where he served as the Assistant Director of Operations. In October 2014, the Commandant’s Career Level Education Board selected Captain Bladen to attend the Graduate School of Business and Public Policy at Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California.
While at NPS, Major Bladen studied Defense Systems Analysis and earned an outstanding thesis award. He graduated from NPS with distinction earning a Master of Science in Management degree in December 2016. Additionally, Major Bladen graduated with distinction from the Naval War College at NPS in December 2016.
Major Bladen reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Programs and Resources (HQMC P&R) to complete a utilization tour following NPS. While assigned to HQMC P&R, Major Bladen served as a Program Analyst where he led multiple studies to inform Marine Requirement Oversight Council decisions.
Major Bladen completed his department head tour while serving as the Executive Officer at 2d Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion from 2019 to 2021. Following his department head tour, Major Bladen received orders to Hawaii where he served with 3d Marine Littoral Regiment and MARFORPAC. In 2023, Lieutenant Colonel Bladen reported to Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade to serve as the Plans Branch Head. He transferred to his current position in April 2024.
Lieutenant Colonel Bladen holds a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science and Administration from Western Michigan University, Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan – Dearborn, and Master of Science in Management from NPS. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star.