Colonel Charles B. Dockery graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. in General Engineering and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in May 1994. Upon completion of F/A-18 training in September 1997, he reported to VMFA(AW)-121 at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, CA. After completing deployments to the Western Pacific and Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, he reported to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines in May 2001 where he served as the Air Officer. Returning to the "Green Knights" at MCAS Miramar in December 2001, he deployed in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, before returning to WestPac.
From December 2005 to December 2008, Colonel Dockery attended the Australian Command and Staff College, followed by an exchange tour at the Australian Army Experimental Framework. Upon returning to Marine Aircraft Group 11, he deployed as an individual augment to the Combined Air and Space Operations Center at al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, before assuming the duties of MAG-11 Operations Officer from July 2009 to April 2010. He then served as the Staff Secretary, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing until June 2011. Colonel Dockery then reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Aviation, where he served as the RQ-21 and ISR Services Requirements Officer. In July 2012, he reported back to MAG-11 and assumed command of VMFA(AW)-225 in February 2013. Colonel Dockery led the "Vikings" on a deployment to Bahrain where they conducted operational reconnaissance missions in support of CENTCOM, while participating in theater security events throughout the Middle East. Colonel Dockery relinquished command in June 2014.
From July 2014 to June 2015, Colonel Dockery attended the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA. Upon graduation, he reported to the Joint Staff J-35, Deputy Directorate for Regional Operations in Norfolk, VA. While there he served as the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Joint Working Group Lead, and then as the Branch Chief, Future Sourcing Branch, within the Joint Force Coordination Division. He departed the Joint Staff in June 2017 and reported to Headquarters, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, where he currently serves as the Chief of Staff.
Colonel Dockery has over 2400 flight hours in the F/A-18D. He is a graduate of the Marine Division Tactics Course and the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, and was the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Robert Guy Robinson Award Winner in 2004. He is a distinguished graduate of both the Australian Command and Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. He holds a Masters degree in Strategy and Policy from the University of New South Wales (Australia) and a Masters degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. His personal awards include the Air Medal with numeral ‘8’, Navy and Marine Corps Meritorious Service Medal, and Defense Superior Service Medal.