Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps

I had the distinct honor and privilege of serving in the Marine Corps during
the tours of duty of the first four Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps.

Darry L. Deaton
Former Staff Sergeant, United States Marine Corps

Click on photo for official Marine Corps biography.

	Wilbur Bestwick 1st Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps May 23, 1957 through August 31, 1959 Nov. 27, 1911 - Jul. 10, 1972
	Francis D. Rauber 2nd Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps September 1, 1959 through June 28, 1962 Jul. 10, 1901 - Feb. 19, 1991
	Thomas J. McHugh 3rd Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps June 29, 1962 through July 16, 1965 Dec. 23, 1919 - Feb. 21, 2000
	Herbert J. Sweet 4th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps July 17, 1965 through July 31, 1969 Oct. 8, 1919 - Jun. 18, 1998
	Joseph W. Dailey 5th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps August 1, 1969 through January 31, 1973
	Clinton A. Puckett 6th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps February 1, 1973 through May 31, 1975 Mar. 6, 1926 - Sep. 3, 2002
	Henry H. Black 7th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps June 1, 1975 through March 31, 1977
	John E. Massaro 8th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps April 1, 1977 through August 15, 1979
	Leland D. Crawford 9th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Auguest 16, 1979 through June 27, 1983
	Robert E. Cleary 10th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps June 28, 1983 through June 26, 1987
	David W. Sommers 11th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps June 27, 1987 through June 27, 1991
	Harold G. Overstreet 12th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps June 28, 1991 through June 29, 1995
	Lewis G. Lee 13th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps June 30, 1995 through June 30, 1999
	Alford L. McMichael 14th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps July 1, 1999 through June 6, 2003
	John L. Estrada 15th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps June 27, 2003 through April 24, 2007
	Carlton W. Kent 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps April 25, 2007 through Present

The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is the senior enlisted Marine in the Marine Corps.

He advises the Commandant of the Marine Corps on matters pertaining to enlisted Marines and accompanies the Commandant on all major command visits and other official trips.   The Sergeant Major also serves on the Enlisted Performance Board, (which considers remedial and meritorious promotions and substandard performance) and the Uniform Board.

The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is selected by the Commandant from nominees submitted by a board of Marine Generals.   The duration of his appointment is determined by the Commandant.

Although all U. S. Military services now have a similar senior enlisted billet, the Marine Corps was the first service to adopt it.   The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps' counterpart in other military services includes the Sergeant Major of the Army, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.

Return to Marine Corps stuff.