Major Courtney was born July, 19, 1986 in St. Charles, Illinois. He attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Systems Engineering. He received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on 22 May 2009.
2nd Lieutenant Courtney graduated The Basic School in January 2010 and reported for Naval Aviator Flight Training in March 2010. He was a student pilot in VT-3 for primary and VT-22 for intermediate and advanced jet training. 1st Lieutenant Courtney was winged as a Naval Aviator in March 2013.
Captain Courtney reported to VMAT-203, MCAS Cherry Point in June of 2013 to begin initial flight training in the AV-8B Harrier II. In January of 2015, a medical issue prevented further flying in the Harrier and Captain Courtney reported to VMMT-204, MCAS New River to transition to the MV-22B Osprey. After completion of this training in July 2015, Captain Courtney reported to VMM-164, the “Knightriders”, of MAG-39 aboard MCAS Camp Pendleton. Captain Courtney was among the initial cadre of aviators that stood up VMM-164 as the final squadron to transition from the CH-46E helicopter, earning qualifications as a Tiltrotor Aircraft Commander, Basic Instructor Pilot and Functional Check Pilot in just over one year. His ground assignments included squadron Adjutant, S-1 Officer, S-5 Officer, Legal Officer, Flight Line OIC and Future Operations Officer.
In July 2017, Captain Courtney was selected for a FAC Tour with 1 MEF Task Force Spartan, Team 60. Following TACP School and workups, he deployed to Al Taqaddum, Iraq from February through September 2018 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Captain Courtney conducted multiple close air support strikes and operational planning in support of international and joint partners. Following his redeployment, Captain Courtney returned to VMM-164 in October 2018.
In June 2019, Major Courtney reported to MAG-16 aboard MCAS Miramar for duty as the Assistant Operations Officer for the headquarters. Major Courtney served as a lead planner and action officer for various MEF, MAW and MAG level training exercises and briefs. He served in this capacity until February 2020 when he reported to the “Ugly Angels” of VMM-362 where he initially served as the Director of Safety and Standardization. In July of 2020, he was designated as the Aviation Maintenance Officer prior to deployment on SPMAGTF-CR-CC 21.1 aboard Ahmad al-Jaber Airbase, Kuwait in September 2020. While there, he executed combat operations with missions flown in Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Djibouti. He redeployed in April 2021.
Major Courtney then executed orders to Okinawa, Japan in July 2021, reporting to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron One to serve as the Assistant Current Operations Officer, Force Modernization Officer and Global Force Mobility Officer. Major Courtney then received orders for a consecutive overseas tour to report to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma, to serve as the squadron executive officer in February 2026.
Major Courtney’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Strike/Flight numeral 2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “R” device and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He has over 1,500 flight hours and currently serves as an Assistant NATOPS Instructor and Functional Check Pilot for the UC-12W+. Scott is married to his wife Erin. Together they have two sons, Luke and Logan, and three daughters, Corina, Kaylia and Juliana. They currently reside in the Sunabe area of Chatan, Okinawa.