Kent becomes top enlisted Marine

[thedrifter]

Kent becomes top enlisted Marine
By John Hoellwarth - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Apr 26, 2007 14:20:00 EDT

The Corps’ top enlisted spot was passed to Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent in a post-and-relief ceremony held at Marine Barracks Washington on April 25.

Kent, who comes to Marine Corps headquarters from Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he served as the senior enlisted leader for I Marine Expeditionary Force, replaces the 15th sergeant major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. John Estrada, who will retire in the coming months after 34 years in the Corps.

“I think the next few years [for the Corps] are going to be exciting,” Estrada said during an April 23 interview. “I would love to be a part of it, but all good things come to an end.”

During the ceremony, Kent said he is looking forward “to being a combat multiplier for Marines and their families by getting out and hearing what their issues are and making recommendations to our commandant,” according to an April 26 Marine Corps release.

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, according to headquarters officials.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/xml/news/2007/04/marine_kent_estrada_070425/mt_kent2_800_070426_287.jpg

James J. Lee / Army Times
Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent salutes April 25 as he takes over as sergeant major of the Marine Corps.

Ellie

[yellowwing]

Sergeant Major Carlton W. Kent
from I- Mef USMC.mil (http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/sgtmajbio.asp)



SgtMaj Kent 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, SgtMaj Kent was transferred to Marine Security Guard Battalion where he served as a Marine Security Guard. He served at American Embassy, Kinshasa, Zaire and Panama.

In June 1981, SgtMaj Kent transferred to Fort Benning for Airborne School and Parachute Riggers School at Fort Lee, Virginia. In June of 1982 he was assigned as 2nd Air Delivery Platoon Commander, and parachute rigger billets in various commands aboard Camp Lejuene.

In February 1983, SgtMaj 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, he was meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.

In May 1985, SgtMaj Kent transferred to 3d 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, SgtMaj Kent was assigned to Noncommissioned Officers School, 1st Marine Brigade as the NCOIC.

In February 1989, SgtMaj Kent transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina as a student at Drill Instructor School. After completion of Drill Instructor School, Sergeant Major 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, Sergeant Major Kent was promoted to First Sergeant and assigned as First Sergeant, MATSG, 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, 3d Battalion, 12th Marines. In December 1994, he assumed the duties as SgtMaj, 3d Battalion, 12th Marines.

In August 1997, SgtMaj 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/FMF 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 is presently serving as the Sergeant Major of the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, 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.