Kent to replace Estrada on April 25
By Beth Zimmerman - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Apr 10, 2007 13:44:33 EDT



Sgt. Maj. Kent, left, replaces Sgt. Maj. Estrada.

The next sergeant major of the Marine Corps will assume his duties in just over two weeks, a spokeswoman for Marine Corps headquarters said Tuesday.

Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent will relieve Sgt. Maj. John Estrada as the Corps’ senior enlisted Marine during a post-and-relief ceremony at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C., on April 25, said Staff Sgt. Christina Delai.

Commandant Gen. James Conway announced Kent as Estrada’s successor in January. Estrada, who has held the position since June 2003, is slated to retire in June, Delai said.

The two sergeants major have been preparing for the transition since Kent arrived in Washington shortly after turning over I Marine Expeditionary Force’s top enlisted spot to Sgt. Maj. Dennis Reed last month, Delai said.