Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) Josten was born on 14 October 1963 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, growing up in West Bend, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, receiving a BA in Communication Arts in 1986 and received his commission in the USMC through the Platoon Leaders Class in January 1987.

After initial infantry officer training in Quantico, Virginia and graduating from Naval flight school in Pensacola, Florida, he was designated a Naval Aviator in May 1989, joining Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (HMM-262), via a California training squadron, in Hawaii later that year, flying the CH-46E transport helicopter. He completed two deployments with HMM-262, participating in operations in Japan, the Philippines, and Korea with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)- Special Operations Capable (SOC).

Upon completion of his tour with the 31st MEU (SOC), Capt Josten received orders to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines in Camp Pendleton. He deployed with that unit as a Forward Air Controller (FAC), attached to the 15th MEU (SOC), and participated in operations in the Persian Gulf in 1993-94 aboard the USS Tripoli during the 15th MEU’s (SOC) Western Pacific (WestPac) deployment.

In January 1995, Capt Josten returned to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG)-16 in Tustin, California where he served as the MAG’s Aviation Safety Officer before going to HMM-166. He graduated from the Weapons and Tactics Instructors (WTI) course in November 1995. Capt Josten deployed with HMM-166 as it augmented the 11th MEU (SOC) aboard the USS Essex for a WestPac cruise in November 1996, participating in operations in Singapore, the Persian Gulf and Australia.

He was promoted to Major in April 1997 and, shortly after returning from WestPac, transitioned out of the Active Duty Marine Corps in October 1997 and joined HMM-764 in El Toro, California in January 1998. While attached to HMM-764, Maj Josten concurrently worked as a Receiving Dock Supervisor in Target’s Fontana, California Distribution Center. He returned to active duty in September 1998 and executed orders to HMM-774 in Norfolk, Virginia where he served as the Logistics and Operations Officer until March 2001. During his tenure at HMM-774, he planned and participated in multiple Joint Force and Counter Drug (CD) operations from Norway to the Caribbean.

In March 2001, Maj Josten reported to MAG-46 in Miramar, CA as both the Assistant to and the Operations Officer. He then reported to MAG-46, Detachment “B” at Edwards Air Force Base in California, fulfilling billet responsibilities as the detachment’s Executive Officer through August 2002. Maj Josten next became the Officer In-Charge (OIC) of the 12th Prior Service Recruiting Office (PSRO-12) in Camp Pendleton, relocating to the San Diego Marine Corps Recruit Depot in October 2003. He was promoted to his current rank in October 2002.

LtCol Josten reported to the Miramar Reserve Support Unit (RSU), in August 2004 as the Commanding Officer, piloting the C-12 King Air. He received temporary orders to fly the CH-46E, augmenting HMM-764 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 04-06 in March 2005. LtCol Josten returned to the Miramar RSU in September of that year where, through subsequent realignment, he remained on station and became the Deputy Commander of the RSU in November 2005 until he retired from active duty in the fall of 2007. He became the Senior Marine Instructor of the Junior ROTC program at Mission Bay High School in August, 2007.

LtCol Josten accumulated more than 3600 flight hours, flying six various naval helicopters and three different naval fixed-wing aircraft. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal- gold star in lieu of second award, Air Medal (#3) and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. He has a Masters of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University and is married to the former Terri Nannetti of West Bend, WI. They live in San Diego, CA and have two children: Haley Jo, 5 and Jack, 3.

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