Lieutenant Colonel Powers graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1993 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He reported to Officer Candidates School in January, 1994 and was commissioned in March of the same year.
Second Lieutenant Powers reported to MATSG-21, Pensacola, FL in October of 1994 for flight training. He received his primary training in VT-2 and advanced helicopter training in HT-8, both at NAS Whiting Field, FL. First Lieutenant Powers was designated a Naval Aviator on 25 October, 1996.
First Lieutenant Powers then reported to HMT-204, MCAS New River, NC for replacement aircrew training in the CH-46E. Upon completion, he was assigned to HMM-263, again at MCAS New River.
While assigned to HMM-263 from June, 1997 to September, 2001, Captain Powers worked in the S-4, S-3, and Maintenance Department as the Quality Assurance Officer and Assistant Maintenance Officer. He also earned flight leadership and instructor qualifications and designations to include Night Systems Instructor (NSI). During this time Captain Powers participated in two 24th MEU (SOC) deployments which included participation in Operation Joint Guard (Adriatic Sea), Southern Watch and Desert Thunder (Arabian Gulf), and Dynamic Response (Macedonia and Kosovo).
In September of 2001, Captain Powers reported to 2nd Tank Battalion, Camp LeJeune, NC where he served as a Forward Air Controller and Battalion Air Officer. During this year, he participated in multiple field exercises and three Combined Arms Exercises (CAX), as well as one deployment in support of Operation Dynamic Response in Spain.
In October 2002, Captain Powers reported again to MATSG-21, Pensacola, FL for duty as a flight instructor. He was assigned to Helicopter Training Squadron 8. While there, he served as the international student liaison and when promoted to Major in April, 2004 he took over the Senior Marine billet for HT-8.
In May of 2006, Major Powers reported to HMMT-164, MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA for refresher training in the CH-46E. Upon completion, he was then assigned to HMM-163 at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, CA. From June 2006 to September 2009, Major Powers served as the Director of Safety and Standardization (DOSS) and Maintenance Officer. During his tenure with HMM-163, Major Powers participated in two deployments with the 13th MEU (SOC). During these deployments, he participated in combat operations in OIF 6.8.1 and 6.8.2. He also served as Detachment OIC for 13th MEU Split ARG operations aboard the maiden deployment of the USS New Orleans. This DET conducted five separate Theater Security Cooperation Exercises (TSC’s) in as many countries.
Major Powers reported to VMR-1 in October, 2009 and took over the Maintenance Department. He was promoted to his present rank in January, 2010. He served as VMR-1 Executive Officer from June, 2010 to August, 2012. While at VMR-1, Lieutenant Colonel Powers earned his Search and Rescue Helicopter Commander and SAR Instructor Designations, as well as becoming NATOPS qualified in the UC-35D.
In August of 2012, Lieutenant Colonel Powers reported for duty to 8th Marine Regiment as the Future Operations Officer. During this time, he served as the lead Regimental Planner for Exercise Bold Alligator 2013. In addition, Lieutenant Colonel Powers served as Regimental Executive Officer and Remain Behind Element OIC during the summer of 2013. Lieutenant Colonel Powers deployed to Moron Air Base, Spain serving as Executive Officer of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response from January to August, 2014.
In September 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Powers reported back to MCAS Cherry Point to serve as the Airfield Operations Officer. He assumed the duties of MCAS Cherry Point Executive Officer on 1 April, 2015.