Commanding Officer, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion
Lieutenant Colonel David A. Sierleja Jr.

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Sierleja was born in Euclid, Ohio and graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree in Pre-Law, Political Science. In November, 2007 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He continued his military education at The Basic School, where he was assigned the military occupational specialty (MOS) as a 1302 Combat Engineer Officer. He completed Combat Engineer Officer's Course at Court House Bay in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and was assigned to 3d Combat Engineer Battalion (CEB) in Twentynine Palms, California.

Upon checking into 3d Combat Engineer Battalion, then 2nd Lieutenant Sierleja was assigned as 2d Platoon Commander, Alpha Company.  During his 19 months as a Platoon Commander, 1st Lieutenant Sierleja attended Bridgeport Mountain Warfare Training Center and deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom 10.1 as a Route Reconnaissance and Clearance (R2C) Platoon Commander.

After redeploying from Operation Enduring Freedom 1st Lieutenant Sierleja assumed the duties as the Executive Officer of Alpha Company, 3d CEB.  After six months as the Executive Officer, Captain Sierleja took command of Engineer Support Company (rein).  During this assignment he commanded the Company through Enhanced Mojave Viper and eventually deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 11.2 and 12.1.

After redeployment, Captain Sierleja executed a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to Quantico, Virginia to attend Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS). In May of 2013 Captain Sierleja graduated from EWS and conducted a PCS to Phoenix, Arizona to become the Site Commander/Inspector-Instructor for Site Support Phoenix.

In June of 2016 Captain Sierleja checked into the Engineer Branch of the G-4, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and during his three year tenure worked at the Engineer Operations and Engagements Officer, Engineer Plans Officer, Engineer Branch officer in charge, and the MARFORPAC C-IED officer.

In July of 2020 Major Sierleja checked into 2d Combat Engineer Battalion in Camp Lejeune, NC where he served as the Battalion's Operations Officer until June of 2021, wherein he assumed the duties as 2d Combat Engineer Battalion's Executive Officer.

In May of 2022 Major Sierleja conducted a Permanent Change of Assignment (PCA) to 2d Marine Division Headquarters, assuming the role of 2d Marine Division's Staff Secretary.

In June of 2023 Lieutenant Colonel Sierleja executed a PCA to Marine Corps Engineer School where he served as the Operations Officer.

In May of 2024 Lieutenant Colonel Sierleja executed a PCA to take command of 2d Combat Engineer Battalion.     

Lieutenant Colonel Sierleja holds a Master's of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Naval Command and Staff College as well as a Master's of Arts in Leadership and Management from Webster University. He is a graduate of the Basic Combat Engineer Officer Course and the Explosive Hazard Reduction of Obstacles Course.

Lieutenant Colonel Sierleja's military awards and decorations include: the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with Valor device, National Defense Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, NATO ISAF Medal, Combat Action ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation ribbon, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Sea Service Deployment ribbon.