Justin Anderson is a native of Lindenhurst, New York. He was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1996.
After completing The Basic School and the Infantry Officer Course, Second Lieutenant Anderson reported to 2d Battalion, 7th Marines in Twentynine Palms, California where he served as a Platoon Commander, Weapons Platoon Commander, and Executive Officer with Echo Company. During this tour, Lieutenant Anderson deployed as part of the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan. In 1999, Lieutenant Anderson received orders to the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, California where he served as the Assistant Unit Operations Officer and the Officer in Charge, Mountain Leaders Course. He was promoted to Captain in June 2000.
In 2002, Captain Anderson received orders to serve as an exchange officer with the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. Upon completing Airborne and Language School, he reported to 1st Marine Battalion, Royal Netherlands Marine Corps in Doorn, The Netherlands in November 2002. From July to November 2003, Captain Anderson deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the Netherlands Battlegroup, serving as the Battlegroup's Intelligence Officer. From January 2004 to January 2005, Captain Anderson commanded 12th Company, 1st Marine Battalion, Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. Captain Anderson reported to Anti-Terrorism Battalion, 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (AT) in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in January 2005. From January 2005 to May 2006, Captain Anderson commanded Delta Company. During this period, he and his company deployed to Iraq. He was promoted to Major in June 2006.
Major Anderson served as a Military Transition Team Chief, deploying to Iraq from October 2006 to September 2007. Major Anderson's final assignments in Camp Lejeune included Operations Officer, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines and Executive Officer, 3d Battalion, 9th Marines. In May 2008, Major Anderson reported to Marine Barracks Washington (MBW). He commanded Headquarters and Service Company, MBW from May 2008 to June 2011. Major Anderson attended the School of Advanced Warfighting during Academic Year 2011-2012 and subsequently served as Plans Officer, 3d Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force from July 2012 to June 2014. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in November 2012.
Lieutenant Colonel Anderson deployed to Manila, The Philippines as part of Joint Task Force - 505 for Operation Damayan in November 2013. In June 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson reported to 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division to serve as the Regimental Operations Officer. In June 2016, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson reported to the Commandant General, Royal Marines in Portsmouth, England for duty as Future Operations Officer, United Kingdom Amphibious Forces. Lieutenant Colonel Anderson served as Inspector-Instructor, 2d Battalion, 23d Marines from May 2017 to June 2019. He was promoted to Colonel in October 2018.
From June 2019 to July 2020, Colonel Anderson served as the Deputy Director of Operations for Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve. In August 2020, Colonel Anderson reported to U.S. European Command and served as Chief, Plans Division, ECJ-5/8. Colonel Anderson reported to Marine Forces Europe and Africa (MARFOREUR/AF) and was the Assistant Chief of Staff G5 from July 2023 to June 2024. Colonel Anderson is currently serving as the MARFOREUR/AF Chief of Staff.
Colonel Anderson earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina (1996) and Masters Degree in Operational Studies from the Marine Corps University (2012). His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement medals, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Colonel Anderson is married to Cathrine of Trondheim, Norway. They have been married for over 20 years and are raising two children: Magnus and Emma.