Lieutenant Colonel Jason D. Graul is a native of Rossville, Illinois.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1999. After initial entry training, he reported to MALS-31 in Beaufort, SC where he served as a structural mechanic and non-destructive inspection technician.  After 9/11, he deployed with VMFA-251 on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF).  He transferred to MALS-24 Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii in 2004. 

While in Hawaii, he deployed with HMH-363 to Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP).  In 2006, he earned a BS degree with a Minor in Aviation/Aerospace safety from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  He deployed again with HMH-363 to Al Anbar Province, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  After earning the rank of Staff Sergeant, he was selected into the Enlisted Commissioning Program and subsequently commissioned a Second Lieutenant in November 2007 via the Officer Candidate Course. 

Following completion of The Basic School, Lieutenant Colonel Graul reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training and designated a Naval Aviator in July 2010. He subsequently reported to HMLAT-303, Camp Pendleton, CA to begin AH-1W training in August 2010.  After completing replacement aircrew training, Lieutenant Colonel Graul reported to HMLA-369. He deployed twice with the “Gunfighters” to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan in support of OEF and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in 2011 and 2013. While at HMLA-369, he served as the Flight Line OIC, Phase Crew OIC, Schedule Writer, and Squadron Historian. Lieutenant Colonel Graul transferred to HMLA-773, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey in 2015. While at the “Red Dogs”, he served as the Future Operations Officer, Legal Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, and Aircraft Maintenance Officer (AMO).

In July 2018, Lieutenant Colonel Graul attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, KS. After graduating with a Master of Military Art and Science degree, he reported back to Camp Pendleton in July 2019 to HMLA-267. Lieutenant Colonel Graul then completed the series conversion to the AH-1Z and regained all previously held flight qualifications. During his time with the “Stingers”, he served as the assistant AMO, AMO, and Executive Officer and deployed to Okinawa, Japan in support of UDP 21.1. 

Lieutenant Colonel Graul transferred to MAG-39 FOPS in January 2022 and subsequently transferred to I MEF G-3 Fires and Effects Coordination Center (FECC) in June 2022 to serve as the assistant Air Officer, where he managed the I MEF air fragmentary order process. He subsequently transferred to Expeditionary Warfare School, Quantico, Virginia in June 2023 to serve as the Deputy Director until May 2024. 

Lieutenant Colonel Graul has accumulated over 2400 mishap free flight hours. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Strike/Flight Numeral 9, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star in lieu of second award), and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 Gold Stars in lieu of fourth award).