BGen Seth E. Anderson is a native of King City, California. He is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a degree in Political Science. He was commissioned as a Marine Corps officer in April 1998.
His professional military education includes The Basic School, the Naval Intelligence Officer's Basic Course, the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, the Space 200 Course, the MAGTF Intelligence Officer Course (Honor Graduate), the Operations and Tactics Instructor Course, the School of Advanced Warfighting (Master’s Degree in Operational Studies), and the Army War College (Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies).
BGen Anderson began his career as an Intelligence Officer with the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing (June 1999–June 2002). From January to May 2000, he deployed to Kuwait as an individual augment to Combined Joint Task Force-Kuwait. He subsequently deployed as the ACE S-2 with HMM-165, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit from December 2001 to June 2002, supporting operations in Afghanistan, including Operation Anaconda.
From 2002 to 2005, he was an Intelligence Instructor at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1). While there he was an individual augment to 3dMAW for Operation Iraqi Freedom (Feb 2003–May 2003). After leaving MAWTS-1 he deployed to Iraq (Nov 2005–Nov 2006) as an advisor to an Iraqi Army Battalion. Upon returning, he became the Assistant Intelligence Officer for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Dec 2006–June 2008), supporting Operation Sea Angel II, a humanitarian mission in Bangladesh. From 2008 to 2010, he led the Intelligence Department at Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group (MCTOG).
Following his studies at the School of Advanced Warfighting (2010-2011), BGen Anderson was assigned to Marine Corps Forces Central Command (2011–2014) as a Contingency Planner and later Chief of War Plans. He then became the Intelligence Department Head for the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (June 2014–June 2015).
He then commanded 1st Intelligence Battalion at Camp Pendleton California from 2015 to 2017.
After completing the Army War College (2017-2018), he was assigned to U.S. Central Command (2018–2021), first as Partner Engagement Branch Head, then as Intelligence-Operations Division Head (J23). During this period, he deployed to Saudi Arabia (Jan 2020–June 2020) as the CENTCOM Forward-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia J2 Director.
From 2021 to 2023, he commanded Marine Corps Intelligence Schools in Dam Neck, Virginia.
From August 2023 to June 2026 he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing.
In July 2026, BGen Anderson assumed the position of Director of Intelligence, USMC.
His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with three Gold Stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star and “V”, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.