Major Daniel J. Houdek hails from Quakertown, Pennsylvania.  He attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics.  He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps on 18 May 2013 through Carnegie Melon University’s NROTC Program. He completed Officers Candidate School in the summer of 2011 and start The Basic School in April of 2014. 

2ndLt Houdek was assigned the 6002 MOS, his first choice, and completed Aircraft Maintenance Officers course at NAS Whiting Field, Whiting, Florida, in March of 2015.  

In March of 2015 2ndLt Houdek reported to MCAS New River, where he was assigned to HMH-461 as the MCO/MMCO. He managed the maintenance for the squadron’s CH-53Es for almost three years attending 2 WTI events, both as an MMCO and one as a student of AAMOC where he earned the 6077 MOS. In addition, he led multiple maintenance detachments to include two ITX events, RAVEN, and multiple cold weather training events with the squadron. He then transferred to HMH-464 in January of 2018 as the MCO/MMCO where he attended more cold weather training events and eventually accepted career designation and promoted to the rank of Captain.    

In July of 2018, Captain Houdek started his B-billet with Marine Corps Security Forces Kings Bay Georgia. There he served as a Platoon Commander, Company Commander, and Company Executive Officer, earning multiple qualification and leading numerous Tactical Weapons Convoys, both for training purposes and for strategic movements. 

In May 2021, Captain Houdek transferred to MALS-14 to serve as the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer where he aided in the sundown process for the AV-8B Harrier and prepped Marine Air Group 14 for the arrival of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

In July 2023, Major Houdek transferred to CNATTU Cherry Point to serve as the Executive Officer where he currently resides.