Lauren Lloyd LaVine was born January 5, 1965 in Buffalo, Minnesota to Durund Hayes LaVine and Hope Johnston LaVine. He grew up in Bagley and attended elementary school at Minerva and Bagley. He graduated from Bagley High School in 1983.

LaVine enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps that same year and was sent to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. He received advanced training throughout his military career at the Armed Forces School of Music, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Norfolk, Virginia; Noncommissioned Officer School, Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Santa Ana, California, Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, Marine Corps Recruiters School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Marine Corps Warrant Officer Basic Course in Quantico, Virginia, Airborne Course in Fort Benning, Georgia and at Saint Cloud State University in Saint Cloud, Minnesota.

CWO3 LaVine was stationed at the 4th Aircraft Wing, Naval Support Activity in New Orleans; 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in Santa Ana, California, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California, 9th Marine Corps Recruiting District in Kansas City, Missouri, Marine Corps Logistics Command in Albany, Georgia, and Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

CWO3 LaVine’s military specialty was 5547/5565 (musician); 5502 (band officer), 8411 (Marine Corps Recruiter) and 8023 (Marine Corps parachutist).

CWO3 LaVine served with the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing Band in New Orleans; the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band in Twentynine Palms, the 9th Marine Corps Recruiting District in Kansas City, Missouri, the Marine Corps Logistics Base Band in Albany, Georgia, the Marine Corps Instructor and Inspector Staff in Minneapolis, and the Marine Forces Pacific, Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay.

CWO3 LaVine received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal and the Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon.

LaVine retired with an honorable discharge in 2007.

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