Carlton W. Kent
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| Carlton W. Kent | |
|---|---|
  16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps |
|
| Place of birth | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1976-present |
| Rank | Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps |
| Unit | United States Marine Corps |
| Awards | Legion of Merit with gold award star Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal with gold award star Navy Commendation Medal with gold award star Navy Achievement Medal with gold award star Combat Action Ribbon |
Sergeant Major Carlton W. Kent is the current Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, assuming the post on April 25, 2007.[1][2][3][4] He succeeded SgtMaj John L. Estrada, who had been serving in that capacity since June 2003.
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[edit] Biography
Carlton Kent was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from South Side High School in Memphis.[5]
He completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina in March 1976 and was assigned to the 1st Marine Brigade.
In May 1978, Kent was transferred to Marine Security Guard Battalion where he served as a Marine Security Guard at American Embassies in Kinshasa, Zaire, and in Panama.
In June 1981, Kent transferred to Fort Benning for Airborne School and Parachute Riggers School at Fort Lee, Virginia. In June 1982, he was assigned as 2nd Air Delivery Platoon Commander, and parachute rigger billets in various commands at Camp Lejeune.
In February 1983, Kent was transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California for duty as a drill instructor, senior drill instructor, and battalion drill master with First Battalion. In January 1985, Kent was meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.
In May 1985, Kent transferred to the 3rd Air Delivery Platoon as platoon sergeant. In June 1986, he transferred to Engineer Company, BSSG-1 1st Marine Brigade, Hawaii as Company Gunnery Sergeant. In March 1988, Kent was assigned to Noncommissioned Officers School, 1st Marine Brigade as the NCOIC.
In February 1989, Kent transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina as a student at Drill Instructor School. After completion of Drill Instructor School, Kent was assigned to Naval Aviation Officers Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida as a Drill Instructor, Chief Drill Instructor, and First Sergeant. In February 1990, Kent was promoted to First Sergeant and assigned as First Sergeant, Marine Aviation and Training Support Group, Pensacola, Florida.
In June 1992, he transferred to 4th Marine Regiment for duty. In June 1993, he transferred to the Army Sergeants Major Academy, Fort Bliss, Texas. After graduation, in February 1994 he was transferred and assigned as First Sergeant, Battery L, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. In December 1994, he assumed the duties as the Sergeant Major of the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines.
In August 1997, Kent was transferred to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California where he was assigned duties as Sergeant Major Second Recruit Training Battalion, and, in September 1999, as Sergeant Major Recruit Training Regiment.
In May 2001, he was transferred to Marine Forces Europe/Fleet Marine Force Europe, Stuttgart, Germany, where he was assigned the duties as the Sergeant Major of Marine Forces Europe/FMF Europe.
In April 2004, he was transferred to I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California where he served as the Sergeant Major of the I Marine Expeditionary Force. On January 19, 2007, General James Conway, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, announced that SgtMaj Kent would become the next (16th) Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, succeeding SgtMaj John Estrada[6] On April 25, 2007, in a ceremony at the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., Kent assumed the top Marine Corps enlisted post.[1]
[edit] Major Awards and decorations
SgtMaj. Kent's awards include the Legion of Merit with Gold Star in lieu of second award, a Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He is the recipient of the General Gerald C. Thomas Award for inspirational leadership. He's also got the Rifle Expert Badge (3 times) and the Pistol Sharpshooter Badge.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Hoellwarth, John (April 26, 2007.). Kent becomes top enlisted Marine. Marine Corps Times.
- ^ Beth Zimmerman. "Kent to replace Estrada on April 25", Marine Corps Times, April 10, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-10.
- ^ Delai, Marine Corps News, 2007.
- ^ "16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps assumes post", April 27, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-27.
- ^ Lloyd, Memphis Online, 2006.
- ^ Hoellwarth, Marine Corps Times, January 2007.
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- Hoellwarth, John. "Kent named next sergeant major of the Marine Corps", Marine Corps Times, January 19, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-01-20.
- Sergeant Major Carlton W. Kent, Sergeant Major, I Marine Expeditionary Force. I MEF Sergeant Major Biography. I MEF, United States Marine Corps (17 August 2006). Retrieved on 2007-01-20.
- U.S. Marine Corps - 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps: Carlton W. Kent. United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2007-04-26.
- Lloyd, Crystal. "Marine: Take life seriously", Memphis Online, CommercialAppeal.com, December 8, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-01-20. Message from SgtMaj Kent to high school students.
| Preceded by John Estrada |
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps 2007– present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
