Lieutenant Colonel Scott “Penny” Holbert is currently serving as Executive Officer at The Basic School (TBS). He graduated from Purdue University in December 2005, completed The Basic School in December 2006, and was designated a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) in July 2008.
​Upon completion of EA-6B Prowler training with Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) in Whidbey Island WA, 1st Lieutenant Holbert was designated as an EA-6B Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECMO) and reported to Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 (VMAQ-2) aboard MCAS Cherry Point, NC, in February 2010. While serving with VMAQ-2, he deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2011, Captain Holbert transferred to Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 (VMAQ-1), and deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, in support of Operation Unified Protector. After serving in Aviano, he continued with VMAQ-1 to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, to support Operation Enduring Freedom.
In 2013, he completed the Tactical Air Control Party course at Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Atlantic and served as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) / Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) with 2d Battalion 6th Marines from 2013 through 2014. During this time, he deployed to Okinawa, Japan in support of the Unit Deployment Program.
Captain Holbert reported back to VMAQ-2 aboard MCAS Cherry Point in 2014. While with VMAQ-2, he deployed to Iwakuni, Japan in support of the Unit Deployment Program, and to Incirlik Air Base in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Major Holbert graduated the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 (MAWTS-1) Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course in 2016.
In 2017, Major Holbert attended Command and Staff College (Resident) where he earned his master’s degree, then transferred to the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Staff Training Program (MSTP), providing subject matter expertise in Aviation Operations, Non-Lethal Fires, and Operations in the Information Environment (OIE). In 2018, he completed the Intermediate MAGTF Information Operations Course.
After being selected for the Inter-Service Exchange Program in 2019, Major Holbert returned to VAQ-129 in Whidbey Island to complete EA-18G Growler training. He reported to Electronic Attack Squadron 209 (VAQ-209) in 2020 where he served until 2022, completing his major department head tour as the squadron maintenance officer.
In 2022, Major Holbert reported to Headquarters, Marine Corps where he served as the section head of the Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO)/Cyberspace Operations section. In 2023, he completed training and was designated as a Space Operations Staff Officer. In 2024 he completed the Civil Military Operations planner’s course. He was also board selected for designation as a Special Technical Operations (STO) planner. In 2025, Lieutenant Colonel Holbert reported to TBS to serve as the Executive Officer.
Lieutenant Colonel Holbert has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours and has held virtually every NFO flight-leadership and instructor qualification attainable in the Prowler. His personal decorations include the Air Medal Strike/Flight Medal, Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Joint Service Achievement Medal.
Lieutenant Colonel Holbert holds a Master of Military Studies from Command and Staff College, Marine Corps University.