Major Folsom currently serves as the International Affairs Officer Program Coordinator, Strategy and Plans Division, Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps.
Major Folsom was born on 29 March 1972 in Monterey, California. He graduated from Potomac Senior High School in Dumfries, Virginia in 1990. In 1994 he graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. He attended Officer Candidates School in 1992 and 1993 via the Platoon Leaders Class program.
Following graduation from The Basic School and the Infantry Officers Course in 1995, Major Folsom was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion as Platoon Commander, 1st Platoon, Company “A”. In 1997 Major Folsom deployed to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf with Company “A” and Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/1 as part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
In December 1997 Major Folsom reported to Officer Candidates School, where he filled billets as Assistant Logistics Officer, Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer, and Coordinator of Student Activities.
In November 2000 Major Folsom reported to the United States Army Armor Center at Fort Knox, Kentucky for instruction at the Armor Captains Career Course and the Cavalry Leaders Course. In April 2001 he assumed command of Company “D,” 1st LAR Battalion. He deployed to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf with BLT 3/1 and the 11th MEU in June 2002. In February 2003 Major Folsom and Company “D” deployed with 1st LAR Battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In June 2003 Major Folsom reported to the Naval Postgraduate School, where he earned a Master of Arts in South Asian National Security Affairs. Following instruction in the Hindi language at the U.S. State Department’s Foreign Service Institute in 2005 he was assigned as a South Asia Foreign Area Officer in New Delhi, India. While in India he attended the United Nations Military Observers Course at the United Services Institute of India and the Indian Army Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School in Vairengte.
In June 2006 Major Folsom reported to the 1st Marine Division staff, where he held billets as G-3 Training Officer and G-3 Operations Deputy. In February 2008 Major Folsom deployed to Iraq as Team Leader, Military Transition Team 0733. During this deployment his advisor team was embedded with 3rd Battalion, 28th Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division.
Major Folsom’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with combat “V” device and gold star, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
Major Folsom is married to the former Ashley Carol Christian of Memphis, Tennessee. They currently reside in Woodbridge, Virginia with their daughters Emery and Kinsey.
