Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Carben enlisted in the Marine Corps as a Private and attended recruit training at Parris Island, SC in June 1998. Upon completion of recruit training and formal MOS schools, he was designated as an Intelligence Specialist (0231).
In February 1999, PFC Carben reported for duty to 2nd Marine Division G-2, Camp Lejeune, NC and subsequently posted to 8th Marine Regiment S-2. In January 2000, LCpl Carben reported for duty to 1st Battalion 8th Marines S-2. During his time there, he completed the Scout Skier Course at the Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC) Bridgeport, CA and deployed as part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) in which the Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/8 participated in multiple theater security cooperation exercises.
In April 2002, Sgt Carben reported to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South (MARFORSOUTH) in Miami, FL. During his time there, he deployed to Bogota, Colombia in support of the Defense Attaché Office (DAO) mission and to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as part of the Joint Task Force (JTF) GTMO, Joint Interrogations Group (JIG) in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In 2005, SSgt Carben was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning and Education Program (MECEP) and reported to MECEP Prep aboard MCRD San Diego and subsequently Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Unit, Auburn University for instruction. In May 2006, he attended and completed Officer Candidate School MCB Quantico. Following graduation from Auburn University with a B.A. in Criminology, GySgt Carben was commissioned as a 2ndLt in December 2008.
In April 2009, he reported to The Basic School (TBS) at MCB Quantico, VA. After successfully completing TBS, 2ndLt Carben was assigned to Marine Aviation and Training Support Group (MATSG-21) at NAS Whiting Field, FL where he was designated as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer (AMO) upon completion of the Aviation Maintenance Officer’s Course.
In 2010, 2ndLt Carben reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 31 as the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Division OIC at MCAS Beaufort, SC. In April 2011, 1stLt Carben reported to VMFA(AW)-224. During his tenure with the Bengals, he held the billets of Material Control Officer (MCO), Maintenance Material Control Officer (MMCO) and Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer (AAMO). He also deployed twice to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan in support of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP). Throughout both deployments, the squadron participated in numerous theater security cooperation exercises in the Pacific.
In 2014, Capt Carben was selected to operate in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as part of the International Affairs Personnel Exchange Program (PEP). In June 2015, Capt Carben posted to RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, Australia as an Engineering Officer with Number 3 Squadron. During his tenure, he deployed in support of Operation Okra (Inherent Resolve) in the Middle East as well as numerous theater security cooperation exercises in the Pacific. In December 2017, Capt Carben joined Number 77 Squadron as the Detachment Alpha Officer in Charge to support the Australian F/A-18 to F-35 transition.
In July 2018, Maj Carben reported to MCAS Iwakuni to serve as the MALS-12 Operations Officer. In May 2019, Maj Carben assumed the position of AMO for VMFA(AW)-242. In May 2020, Maj Carben assumed the position of MALS-12 Executive Officer.
In June 2021, Maj Carben reported to the Naval Postgraduate School and received an MBA in Materiel Logistics Support Management in December 2022. He also completed Command and Staff with the Naval War College during his time in Monterey, CA.
In January 2023, Maj Carben reported to Marine Corps Logistics Command, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and served as the Director, G-3/5 Assessment Cell.
In May 2025, LtCol Carben reported to Marine Aviation Training Support Group 23 to serve as the Operations Officer.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.