Headquarters Company Commanding Officer
As of 26 July 2013, First Lieutenant Virag is serving as Company Commander, Headquarters Company, 7th Communications Battalion, III MHG, III MEF.
First Lieutenant Virag, a native of Toledo, Ohio, enlisted in the Marine Corps in May, 2005 as a Communication Electronics Repair Technician. After successful completion of recruit training at Parris Island and Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, he went on to 29 Palms, California to complete his Military Occupational Specialty training as a 2844 Communication Electronics Organizational Repair Technician from October 2005 to March 2006.
Upon graduation, he reported to 9th Communication Battalion, serving as an Electronic Maintenance Technician for Service Company from March 2006 to May 2009. During this tour, First Lieutenant Virag deployed to Camp Fallujah, Iraq as an infantry augment attached to 2/135 Mechanized Infantry Brigade under the command of I Marine Expeditionary Force from August 2006 to February 2007 and again to Camp Fallujah from May 2008 to December 2008 with Communication Electronics Maintenance Platoon, 9th Communication Battalion. During his second deployment to Iraq, First Lieutenant Virag applied and was subsequently accepted for the Meritorious Commissioning Program (MCP).
First Lieutenant Virag graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Aviation with a GPA of 3.4.
First Lieutenant Virag was commissioned in May 2010. He then attended The Basic School and graduated in December 2010 after being designated a 0602 Communications Officer. First Lieutenant Virag attended the Basic Communications Officer Course in Quantico, Virginia from December 2010 and graduated in June 2011.
Shortly after graduation, First Lieutenant Virag reported for duty to 7th Communication Battalion. First Lieutenant Virag served as the Data Platoon Commander, Alpha Company from July 2011 to April 2012, deploying in support of exercise Cobra Gold 2012 as the Detachment Officer-in-Charge in Korat, Thailand. After successful completion, he was then deployed to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to serve as the S-6 Communication Platoon Commander from April 2012 to May 2013 where he would go on to support three separate floats.
In May 2013 First Lieutenant Virag returned to 7th Communication Battalion and was reassigned to serve as the Company Commander, Headquarters Company. First Lieutenant Virag assumed command of HQ Co in July 2013.
First Lieutenant Virag’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon. First Lieutenant Virag is married and they have one son.