Major Nathan Molica joins the Charleston District as the Deputy Commander after serving most recently as the Battalion S3 for the 3rd Special Troops Battalion/ 21st Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
Maj. Molica grew up in Memphis, Tenn. He earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Maj. Molica began his military career after commissioning as an Infantry Officer from West Point in 1999. After initial training and schooling at Fort Benning, Georgia, his first duty assignment was with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash. where he served as a Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Battalion S1. He attended the Marine Expeditionary Warfare School at Quantico, Va. Once complete, his next assignment was at Fort Bragg, N.C. with the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. In that assignment, he served as a Battalion S4 and Company Commander, and he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following Company Command, Maj. Molica moved to Fort Benning, Ga. to serve in 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. He served as a Battalion Air Operations Officer and Company Commander in this assignment. Maj. Molica would continue to serve in the Regiment in both the Regimental Headquarters and Special Troops Battalion as a Regimental Operations Liaison Officer, again as a Company Commander, and finally as the Recruiting Commander. He deployed numerous times during his tenure in the Regiment to both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Due to a knee injury, Maj. Molica changed into the Engineer Branch of the Army. After his five years in Regiment, he attended Intermediate Level Education at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Following that course, he joined the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Ky. and served as the Brigade Engineer. He deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom during this assignment. Upon redeployment, Maj. Molica’s most recent assignment was as the Battalion S3 for the 3rd Special Troops Battalion / 21st Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
Maj. Molica’s major awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. His major badges and courses include the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Jumpmaster Course, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.