Mr. Kevin “Astro” Murray is the Chief Technology Officer for Deputy Commandant Information (DC I), Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps (HQMC). As the senior technical expert, he is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating and overseeing all information management and Science and Technology (S&T) initiatives supporting operations in the Information Environment. Mr. Murray was appointed to Defense Intelligence Senior Level (DISL) in September 2023.

Mr. Murray graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in May of 1995 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. In October, 1998 he was designated a Naval Aviator and subsequently assigned to fly the F/A- 18 Hornet. He served in multiple squadrons from 1998 through 2003, deploying to the Indo-Pacific as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) as well as in support of exercise such as DYNAMIC MIX the EUCOM region. He also served as the 10th Marine Regiment Air Officer and as a Forward Air Controller during Operation Enduring Freedom.

From 2003 to 2006, as a Captain and Major of Marines, Mr. Murray deployed with the Thunderbolts of VMFA-251 to Japan, Australia, Thailand, and graduated from MAWTS-1 as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor. He also conducted multiple combat deployments with Carrier Air Wing One on board the USS Enterprise in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM (OIF/OEF).

In 2008, then Major Murray reported to NAS Fallon, Nevada for duty as Air Wing Training Officer. He also served as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter SME, the Large Force Employment SME, the Digitally Aided Close Air Support SME, Unmanned Aerial Systems SME, F/A-18 Combat Systems SME and the Strike Department Executive Officer. In February of 2011, he deployed to 6th Fleet in Naples, in support of Operation ODYSSEY DAWN.

In 2012, As a Lieutenant Colonel, Mr. Murray reported to VMU-1 in Twentynine Palms, California as the Executive Officer. He deployed with the Watchdogs in support of OEF 11.2/12.1, and then took command of VMU-1 in the summer of 2012. He was responsible for the deployment of the Watchdogs to Afghanistan in support of OEF 13.2, again for OEF 14.2 as well as the first VMU-1 deployment to the 13th MEU. He was the model manager for the RQ-7B Shadow UAS, and was responsible for the execution of over 56,000 combat and training flight hours on RQ-7B, RQ-21A Blackjack, K-MAX Cargo Resupply, Aerosonde, and ScanEagle Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

In 2014, Mr. Murray reported to the Eisenhower School in Washington D.C. for Top Level School, and in 2015, graduated with a Masters in National Security and Economic Policy with a focus in Robotics and Autonomous Systems. In 2015, he reported to the Joint Staff, J7, where he served as a Deployable Training Team Chief, assessing major Combatant Command staffs and developing capability gap analysis. He was promoted to Colonel and reported to the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, where he served as the Director of Science and Technology, and the Rapid Capability Office until his retirement from active duty in July, 2023. Mr. Murray now serves at the Chief Technology Officer for the Marine Corps, accelerating future capabilities in support of Force Design 2030.

Mr. Murray has had an extensive career, both in active combat and in staff roles. He has flown over 3500 hours in the F/A-18A/C/D Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, over 350 hours in the F-16A Fighting Falcon and over 1,000 hours with the RQ-7B Shadow, Aerosonde, ScanEagle, Integrator and RQ-21A Blackjack Unmanned Aircraft Systems. His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, The Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Gold star in Lieu of second award, the Air Medal with combat V, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Gold star in Lieu of second award, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Gold star in lieu of third award.