Colonel Robert Morgan enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1987. While attending Virginia Tech, he was activated with the 4th Combat Engineer Company in Roanoke, Virginia for Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. Upon return, he completed the Platoon Leaders Course and was commissioned in May of 1993. Prior to attending The Basic School (TBS), he attended Harvard University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in Cambridge, MA.
After TBS, he reported to Naval Air Training Command, Pensacola, Florida and was designated a Naval Aviator in May 1997. He then reported to Marine Helicopter Training Squadron (HMT) 303, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, at MCAS Camp Pendleton, California for training in the AH-1W Super Cobra. His first fleet assignment was with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 167 from 1997 to 2001. During this period, he supported multiple Combined Arms Exercises in 29 Palms, California, and deployed with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) Reinforced (REIN) 264 as part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
From September 2001 until August 2003, Col Morgan was assigned to HMT-303 as an AH-1W Instructor Pilot and served as the S-4 Officer and the AH-1W NATOPS Officer. In August 2003, Col Morgan reported to Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMX) One in Quantico, Virginia, where he flew the VH-3D, VH-60N, and CH-46E. Designated a Command Pilot and Marine One, Col Morgan flew the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States and other dignitaries, both in Washington D.C. and locations around the world.
In July 2007, Col Morgan reported to MAG-26 and deployed to Iraq as the Al Qaim Airboss. In Iraq he flew with multiple HMLA detachments in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. On return, he served as the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) Current Readiness Officer for the MV-22 and then joined Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (REIN) as the Operations Officer and the H-1 Det OIC. After deploying with the 22d MEU, Col Morgan served as the MAG-26 Operations Officer.
Col Morgan returned to TBS in July 2010 as the Executive Officer until taking command of HMLAT-303 in May of 2011. Following command Col Morgan attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and received a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. After graduation Col Morgan moved to Stuttgart, Germany where he served in the J3 as a Joint Operations Center Watch Chief and Current Operations Branch Head. Upon return to CONUS, Col Morgan served as the 2D Marine Division Air Officer and the AC/S G-3 prior to taking command of MAG-29. After a successful command tour, Col Morgan took over as the II Marine Expeditionary Force Chief of Staff in June 2019.
Col Morgan joined Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command in July 2020 and is currently serving as the Chief of Staff.
His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars, Air Medal with Strike/Flight Numeral "1", Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star, and the Combat Action Ribbon.