Major Benjamin Weiss graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering in May 2011. While earning his degree, Major Weiss worked at the Indiana Space Grant Consortium, a NASA grant office. He was the Operations Officer for Purdue Space Day, an event held at the University that over 500 children attended each year to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). He also earned his Private Pilot’s license in 2008. After earning his degree, he completed the 10-week Officer Selection Commissioning Program in December 2011 and entered the Marine Corps. In January 2012 he checked into The Basic School (TBS) and was assigned to Bravo Company. Upon completion of TBS Major Weiss transferred to Pensacola, Florida to begin Aviation Preflight Indoctrination Course.
In March 2013 Major Weiss joined the VT-28 “Rangers” at Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi. After successful completion of Primary Flight Training, he selected the Tiltrotor (MV-22) Airframe. Major Weiss then began his Intermediate Helicopter Training with the HT-28 “Hellions” in Milton, Florida, and later returned to Corpus Christi Texas for Advanced Flight Training with the VT-35 “Sting Rays”. Upon completion of Advanced, he received his Naval Aviator Wings on 6 Feb 2015. Major Weiss then joined Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204 (VMMT-204) aboard MCAS New River where he received his designation as a MV-22B Second Pilot.
Major Weiss reported to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (VMM-363) the “Lucky Red Lions” aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in July 2015. During his time with the “Lucky Red Lions” he served as the Current Operations Officer, Aviation Safety Officer, Director of Safety and Standardization (DOSS), and Airframes Division Officer. He took part in two Integrated Training Exercises at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, and two separate deployments to Kuwait. His first deployment was part of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command 16.2 (SPMAGTF-CR-CC 16.2). During his first deployment Major Weiss worked as a Current Operations Officer. His second deployment was a part of SPMAGTF 17.2B, in which he was the detachment DOSS.
Upon returning from his second deployment, Major Weiss was instrumental in the movement of the “Lucky Red Lions” to Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), their new permanent duty station. Major Weiss was then assigned to the Airframes division as the division Officer in Charge (OIC) in July 2018. The squadron quickly deployed again in April 2019 to Marine Rotational Force Darwin.
In July 2020, Major Weiss received orders to Marine Corps Air Station New River to join Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204 (VMMT-204), as an Instructor Pilot. There Major Weiss trained the fleet’s newest V-22 pilots to fly and operate the V-22. He logged over 430 mishap free flight hours, and 428 new Training and Readiness initial events for new fleet pilots. While at VMMT-204, Major Weiss served as the Flight Line OIC, and the Quality Assurance Officer.
In July 2022, Major Weiss received orders to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (VMM-261) “The Raging Bulls” as the Executive Officer where he is currently assigned.
Major Weiss’ personal decorations include the Air Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.