2d Battalion, 8th Marines

Lieutenant Colonel William Long

2nd Battalion, 8th Marines Commanding Officer

William D. Long was born on 30 October 1982 in Jackson, Mississippi. He graduated from Westfield High School in Houston, Texas, in May 2001 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in July 2001. He underwent recruit training at 2d Recruit Training Battalion, Company E, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Upon completing training with the Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-West, Private First Class Long earned the military occupational specialty 0311, Rifleman, and reported to Company A, Marine Barracks Washington, D. C., where he served as a ceremonial marcher.

In September 2003, Lance Corporal Long executed orders to Company I, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, for his first fleet assignment. He deployed from January 2004 to July 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On deployment, he led a fire team and a rifle squad. In July 2004, Corporal Long was attached to Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, and remained deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom until January 2005. During this time, he led a fire team and a rifle squad. In January 2005, Corporal Long reported to Company L, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines in Iraq, and remained on deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom until July 2005. During this time, he served as a fire team leader. After returning from deployment, Corporal Long ended his active service and enrolled in college.

In May of 2010, Second Lieutenant Long graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs. He commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Class commissioning program in May 2010. Second Lieutenant Long attended The Basic School (TBS) from October 2010 to April 2011. Following TBS, he attended the Infantry Officer Course (IOC) in Quantico, Virginia, and graduated in September 2011.

In October 2011, Second Lieutenant Long reported to Company E, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines. During his time with the battalion, he served as a rifle platoon commander and a company executive officer. He deployed twice, once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and once with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

In June 2014, Captain Long reported to TBS to instruct Marine officers. He served as the primary instructor for scouting and patrolling before transitioning to supervise the Marines Awaiting Training platoon. In June 2015, Captain Long began instructor duties at IOC where he served as the primary instructor for scouting and patrolling and Range 410A. Captain Long was the Class Advisor for IOC Class 1-17 and trained eight IOC classes during his time as an instructor.

In August 2017, Captain Long reported to the Expeditionary Warfare School to complete resident career-level school. After graduating, Captain Long reported to 3d Battalion, 3d Marines in July 2018. During his time with the battalion, he served as a company commander for Company I and Weapons Company. He deployed in support of the Unit Deployment Program and participated in the Marine Rotational Force Darwin (Force Enhancement).

In June 2020, Major Long reported to the Marine Corps Detachment at Fort Moore, Georgia. He served as the detachment executive officer, commanding officer, and Maneuver Captain's Career Course Instructor.

In June 2023, Major Long reported to Air Command and Staff College, where he participated in the Joint All Domain Strategist program and earned a Master of Military Operational Art and Science. After graduating from command and staff in June of 2024, Major Long reported to 2d Battalion, 2d Marines to serve as the battalion executive officer.

In November 2024, Major Long reported to 2d Marines Operations Section to serve as the future operations officer. In February 2025, Major Long assumed the regimental operations officer billet. During this billet, he executed Exercise-JOINT VIKING 25 and Exercise ATLANTIC ALLIANCE 25.

Lieutenant Colonel Long's personal awards include the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and two gold stars in lieu of third award.

Sergeant Major Anthony Battles

2nd Battalion, 8th Marines Sergeant Major

Anthony Battles enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 18 January 2006. He attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, and subsequently completed the School of Infantry (West) at Camp Pendleton, where he earned the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 0311, Infantryman. Following his initial training, Private First Class Battles was assigned to the Reconnaissance Indoctrination Platoon, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, California. After successfully completing the assessment and selection process, he attended the Basic Reconnaissance Course in Coronado, California, earning the MOS 0321, Reconnaissance Man. Upon completion, Lance Corporal Battles was assigned as a Reconnaissance Scout with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. 

In January 2008, Corporal Battles was assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, serving as a Reconnaissance Scout and radio operator. During this tour, he completed numerous specialized courses including the Army Basic Airborne Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Training, Evinrude Multi-Fuel Engine Operator Course, San Diego Sheriff's Department Man-Tracking Course, Marine Special Operations Training Group Dynamic Assault Course, and the Urban Reconnaissance and Surveillance Course. He subsequently deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the CENTCOM area of operations. 

In February 2009, he was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion as Team Leader for 3rd Platoon, Team 3. During this time, he completed additional advanced training including the Basic Combat Trauma Course, Foreign Weapons Instructor Course, Basic Machine Gun Trainer Course, Tactical Air Control Party Course, Marine Combatant Diver Course, Methods of Entry Course, and Military Freefall School. He deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, serving as a Team Leader and Company Joint Tactical Air Controller (JTAC).

In March 2013, Sergeant Battles was selected to attend the Marine Combat Instructor Course at Camp Pendleton, California. Upon graduation, he was assigned MOS 0913, Combat Instructor, and began teaching at the Basic Reconnaissance Course. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in May 2013 and appointed Chief Instructor of the course, later earning his Master Instructor Certification. 

In July 2016, Staff Sergeant Battles reported to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, serving as Team Leader and Platoon Sergeant for Charlie Company. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in July 2018 and deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, supporting operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility. Upon completion of that deployment in June 2020, Gunnery Sergeant Battles received orders to the Marine Combatant Diver Course in Panama City, Florida, where he served as both Dive Instructor and Chief Instructor.

In May 2022, he was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant and assigned to 2d Marine Logistics Group, 2d Landing Support Battalion, North Carolina. He served as Company First Sergeant for Beach and Terminal Operations (BTO) Company from June 2022 to February 2023, deploying in support of exercises such as Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course and Exercise Freezing Winds. In May 2025 First Sergeant Battles was frocked to the rank of Sergeant Major currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor of 2d Battalion 8th Marines.

His personal decorations include the Purple Heart, Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of forth award, Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold stars in lieu of second award and the Combat Action Ribbon.