Born in Oceanside, California, Colonel Sampson is a third generation United States Marine raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a 1996 graduate of Norwich University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. He joined the PLC program in 1993 and was commissioned through the NROTC program in 1996 after receiving a two-year USMC scholarship. Following graduation, he completed TBS and was designated a Naval Aviator in May of 1999. He reported to MCAS New River for initial CH-53E training with HMHT-302 and joined the “Condors” of HMH-464 in early 2000.
In 2001, shortly after the events of 9/11, Captain Sampson deployed with the “Blue Knights” of HMM-365(REIN), 26th MEU(SOC) in support of Task Force 58 and in support of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force K-BAR during Operation SWIFT FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) from forward operating bases Rhino, Kandahar, and Bagram airfield. In early 2003, he deployed with HMH-464, MAG-29 and Amphibious Task Force East, Task Force Tarawa, 2d MEB supporting OEF and later Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) from several forward operating bases in southern Iraq. While returning from combat operations in Iraq, onboard the USS Kearsarge, he participated in Operation SHINING EXPRESS in Liberia.
In the fall of 2003, after graduating from the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course, Captain Sampson joined the “Thunder Chickens” of HMM-263(REIN). In January 2004, he deployed with the 24th MEU in support of OIF II (‘04-’05) as the ACE Future Operations Officer and CH-53E Detachment WTI. Following the OIF II deployment, he reported to MAWTS-1 as a CH-53D/E instructor pilot. He served as the MAWTS-1 CH-53 Division Head from 2006 to 2008. During his tour at MAWTS-1, he deployed to the Horn of Africa in support of CJTF-HOA and was promoted to the rank of Major.
In June of 2009, Major Sampson reported to MAG-24 as the Future Operations/Tactics Officer. He joined the “Pegasus” of HMH-463 in 2010 to serve as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer. During this tour, he deployed with SPMAGTF-3 and to Afghanistan in support of OEF 11.1. Following his tour with HMH-463, he reported to HQMC, PP&O and served in the Marine Corps Operations Center before being assigned the duties as the Future Operations Group Section Head. During this tour, he deployed with the initial elements of SPMAGTF-CR Africa as the liaison officer to USAFRICOM and MARFOREURAF and he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Upon returning to the FMF, Lieutenant Colonel Sampson served as the MAG-29 HQ Squadron Commanding Officer and as the HMH-366 RBE/DET-A OIC prior to assuming command of HMH-464 in 2014. He led the “Condors” during two deployments and supervised multiple MEU detachments. In 2014, he embarked the squadron aboard the USS Arlington and HNLMS Johan DeWitt as the Coalition MAGTF ACE during Exercise BOLD ALLIGATOR 2014. In 2016, HMH-464(REIN) joined elements from 2d MAW and the Norwegian 339th Squadron to form the composite ACE for the 2d MEB and Combined Joint Task Force during Exercise COLD RESPONSE 2016. His command tour culminated with HMH-464 receiving the MCAA Keith B. McCutcheon award as the 2015 Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron of the Year.
In 2017, he was selected to serve as the Senior Aide to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. He served the 37th Commandant from June 2017 to December 2018. He deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan in 2019 serving in the Commander’s Action Group for the Commanding General of NATO RESOLUTE SUPPORT and Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and as the XO to the Commanding General of Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan. He reported to II MEF in February 2020 for duty as the II MEF AC/S G-5 prior to assuming command of the 26th MEU. During his 45months in command, he led the MEU during multiple short duration deployments for training; MEF/Fleet level exercises; a no-notice 4month deployment during Operation ALLIES WELCOME; and a 9month LF6F/LF5F deployment, as the first special operations capable MEU(SOC) MAGTF in over a decade, supporting theater campaign initiatives and responding to crises across the Tri-COCOM region. In June 2024, he returned to II MEF for duty as the AC/S G-7 and officer in charge of the II MEF Expeditionary Operations Training Group (II MEF EOTG).
Colonel Sampson is a graduate of the USMC non-resident Amphibious Warfare School; the USMC non-resident Command and Staff College; the College of Naval Command and Staff at the Naval War College; and the National War College at the National Defense University.