Major Sean T. Penczak is a native of Stafford, Virginia. Upon graduating from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies and minors in Leadership and Geoscience, he reported to Officer Candidate Course in Jan 2009. After earning his commission on 20 Mar 2009, he reported to The Basic School.
Upon graduating from TBS, 2ndLt Penczak reported to MATSG-21 where he served as the Physical Fitness Instructor before being assigned as a logistics officer with 2d Marine Division G-4. He reported to NAS Pensacola for flight training in Jan 2011 and 1stLt Penczak was designated a Naval Aviator on 25 Jan 2013. He completed SERE training in NH and ME before reporting to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204 at Marine Corps Air Station New River.
After designation as a Tiltrotor Second Pilot, Capt Penczak joined VMM-261 “The Raging Bulls” in Jul 2013, serving as the Ordnance Officer and Tool Room OIC during Operation Enduring Freedom 14.1 and Operation Inherent Resolve 14.2. He then served as the S-6 Officer and Daily Writer for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa 15.2. He also supported Fleet Week New York 2016 prior to departing to stand up the first VMM in Hawai’i.
Capt Penczak reported on 16 Oct 2016 to establish VMM-268 “The Red Dragons” aboard Marine Corps Base Hawai’i, serving as the Director of Standardization (DSS), Aviation Safety Officer (ASO), and Naval Air Training and Standardization Officer (NATOPS). In 2017, he deployed with VMM-268 for a successful Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) deployment. Next, he was selected to serve as the Executive Officer (XO) for Marine Wing Support Detachment 24 (MWSD-24) from Sep 2017 through Aug 2018. The staff finalized and submitted a Tables of Organization and Equipment Change Request (TOECR) to grow MWSD-24 into a full Marine Wing Support Squadron. He also led the team that constructed the first hardened landing zone on the Big Island of Hawai’i-LZ Turkey-and supported Rim of the Pacific 2018. In Aug 2018, Capt Penczak was selected to stand up VMM-363 “The Lucky Red Lions.” He served as the DSS, S-1 Officer, and S-4 Officer. Maj Penczak served as the S-4 Officer during MRF-D 2019s first Aviation Combat Element (ACE).
In Jul 2020, he reported to VMM-165 “The White Knights” and served as the DSS for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. In May 2022, he reported to MAG-16, where he served as the Assistant Operations Officer (OPSO). In Jul 2022, he reported to 1st Marine Regiment and attended the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Course in Coronado, CA. After certification and designation as a Forward Air Controller, he also assumed duties as the Regiment’s Small Unmanned Aerial System Manager. In May 2023, he assumed duties as the Regimental OPSO, Bravo Command, aboard Camp Horno, in support of the MAGTF Command Element MRF-D 23.
Maj Penczak reported to MAG-26 in Nov 2023, where he initially served as the Current OPSO. He facilitated the Line of Effort 3 review for the MV-22 and later served as the lead action officer for Service Level Training Exercise 5-24 in Twentynine Palms, CA, where he held dual roles as the ACE XO and OPSO. In Sep 2024, he reported to VMM-162, where he assumed duties as the OPSO. During his tenure, the squadron supported multiple high-level integrated training exercises. These included Northern Strike, the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) Distributed Aviation Operations Exercise, the RAVEN Exercise, and Atlantic Alliance 25. He led the squadron’s effort for Anti-Submarine Warfare integration with Theater Undersea Warfare Command and Submarine Group 2. He currently serves as the XO.
Maj Penczak has logged over 1,300 mishap-free flight hours, including more than 1,100 hours in the MV-22. His military education includes The Basic School, Naval Flight Training, MV-22 Flight Training, Aviation Safety Officer Course, Aviation Safety for Commanders, Tactical Air Control Party Course, and both the Expeditionary Warfare School and Marine Corps Command and Staff College Distance Education Programs. In 2025, he earned a Master of Science in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with sub-specialties in Space Operations and Aviation Safety, graduating summa cum laude.
His personal decorations include the Air Medal–Strike/Flight with bronze numeral “1,” the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with two gold stars in lieu of third award), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.