Brigadier General Douglas C. “Swami” Sanders hails from Orlando, Florida. A graduate of Maynard Evans High School and the United States Naval Academy, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1996. Following Naval Aviator designation in 1999, he subsequently earned his AH-1W Super Cobra qualification. In 2004, he was selected for MV-22B Osprey transition.
Brigadier General Sanders’ command assignments include: Commanding Officer, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 264 and Commanding Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 26.
His operational assignments include: Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269; Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 (Reinforced); Air Officer, 2D Battalion, 2D Marines; Marine Tiltrotor Test and Evaluation Squadron 22; and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266.
His staff and joint assignments include: MAGTF Planner, HQMC Aviation; C-ISIS Cell Strategic Planner, USSOCOM J-35; Section Head, Programs and Resources; Aviation Branch Head, Programs and Resources; Strategic Engagements Chief, CJTF-OIR; and Branch Head, Air Warfare Systems Assault Support, HQMC Aviation.
Brigadier General Sanders has six combat deployments in both Iraq and Afghanistan for Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE. His personal awards include Legion of Merit (gold star), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 gold stars), Air Medal (combat “V”, 3 individual, 14 strike/flight), both Joint and Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medals (combat “V”, gold star), Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal (gold star), and Combat Action Ribbon (gold star).
Brigadier General Sanders is a graduate of USMC Command and Staff College (with distinction), School of Advanced Warfighting, and the Eisenhower School. He has earned a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Naval Academy, two Masters of Sciences from the Marine Corps University and one from the National Defense University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Conflict Analysis and Resolution Studies from Nova Southeastern University.