Next Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Announced

April 25, 2019 5:45 PM
U.S. Marine Sgts. Maj. Troy E. Black (left) and Lonnie N. Travis shake hands after the 1st Marine Logistics Group Relief and Appointment Ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif. on April 7, 2017. US Marine Corps Photo

THE PENTAGON – The Marines have announced the next senior enlisted leader of the service.

Sgt. Maj. Troy Black has been selected to follow Sgt. Maj. Ronald Green as the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, according to a Thursday announcement from the service.

Black is currently the senior enlisted Marine for the Manpower and Reserve Affairs and will replace Green in a ceremony later this year, according to the statement.

Enlisting in the Marines in 1988, Black has served as “as Sergeant Major of Officer Candidates School, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and 1st Marine Logistics Group. He has deployed extensively, including in support of Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as numerous [Marine Expeditionary Unit] and Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company deployments,” according to the service.

Black will be the 19th Marine to hold the senior enlisted advisor position since it was established in 1957. The position is appointed by the commandant of the Marine Corps and typically has a four-year term.

Green plans to retire after the upcoming relief ceremony later this year.

The following is the complete April 24, 2019, release from Marine Corps Headquarters.

19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Announced

PENTAGON, Washington, D.C. – Sergeant Maj. Troy E. Black has been selected to be the 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

Sergeant Maj. Black is currently serving as Sergeant Major, Manpower and Reserve Affairs. He will replace the current Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, during a post and relief ceremony later this year.

Following the ceremony, Sgt. Maj. Green will retire after 35 years of service.

Since his enlistment in 1988, Sgt. Maj. Black has, among other billets, served as Sergeant Major of Officer Candidates School, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and 1st Marine Logistics Group. He has deployed extensively, including in support of Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as numerous MEU and Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company deployments.

His personal awards include the Legion of Merit with Gold Star, Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and three Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star and the Combat Action Ribbon with two Gold Stars.

The post of Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps was established in 1957 as the senior enlisted advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the first such post in any of the branches of the United States Armed Forces. The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is selected by the Commandant, and typically serves a four-year term, though his service is at the pleasure of the Commandant.

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
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