LtCol Buffamante is a native of Great Valley and graduated from Miami (Ohio) University receiving his commission in May 2003. Upon completion of The Basic School he was designed an armor officer and graduated Armor Officer Basic Course in May of 2004.
His first assignment was to 2d Tank Battalion in Camp Lejeune, NC where he acted as platoon commander from 2004 to 2007. During this tour he deployed with Company C to Fallujah, Iraq and participated in Operation AL FAJR. His second deployment was with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit as the tank platoon commander in support of Battalion Landing Team 1/8.
Upon completion of his first tour he was assigned as a maneuver and fire support team instructor for Tactical Training Exercise Control Group (ITECG) in 29 Palms, CA from April 2007 to June 2010 where he participated in 41 Enhanced Mojave Viper exercises. Following this assignment, he attended Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) in Quantico, VA.
From June 2011 to July 2014 he returned to 2d Tank battalion where he acted as Company D Commander and Battalion Executive Officer. During this tour he deployed to United Arab Emirates (UAE) as an advisor to the UAE Presidential Guard Recon Battalion as part of Marine Corps Training Mission UAE (MCTM-UAE).
Upon return from UAE he assumed command of Company D, 2nd Tank Battalion and was the last USMC tank company to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In July 2014 LtCol Buffamante assumed the duties as Chief of Readiness for Joint Task Force Civil Support
(JTF-CS) located in Fort Eustis, VA. JTF-CS provides command and control for Department of Defense Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) response forces in support of USNORTHCOM. In August of 2016 he became the training chief for current operations where he was responsible for the training of all Joint Operations Center personnel and acted as a battle captain.
After completion of his joint assignment LtCo1 Buffamante attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI earning a Masters Degree in Defense and Strategic Studies, with highest distinction. He also attended the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS) and received the additional MOS of 0505 (MAGTF Planner).
From October 2018 to June 2020 he served as a MAGTF planner and as the Deputy Director of Plans for Naval Amphibious Task Force 51 / 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Task Force 51/5) in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
In June 2020 he reported to 4th Tank Battalion in Miramar, CA to serve as the battalion Inspector/Instructor where he oversaw the de-activation of the battalion in support of Commandant of the Marine Corps Force Design initiatives.
LtCol Buffamante is currently a student at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, PA.
His personal awards include the Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with two Combat Vs), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon with one gold star. Additionally, he was the recipient of the Shipman Award as the outstanding Ground Combat Element student at EWS (2011) and was the honor graduate of MAWS (2018).
LtCol Buffamante is married and has five children.
