Sgt. Maj. Troy Black took over as the 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps on Friday, in a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington on July 26.
Black relieved Sgt. Maj. Ronald Green, who served as the top enlisted Marine since 2015.
During the ceremony, Green formally passed the sword of office to Black, a Louisville, Kent., native who has served in the Marine Corps for 31 years. Five former sergeants major of the Marine Corps were on hand for the event.
“I am proud of our Corps and our Marines,” Black said in a news release. “I look forward to serving the Marines, sailors and families that dedicate themselves to the Corps every day.”
Green will retire after 36 years of service in the Marine Corps. He had a private retirement ceremony earlier Friday, where he received the Distinguished Service Medal and laudatory letters from the commandant, the president of the United States and others.
“I want to thank all the Marines, civilian Marines, sailors, families and everyone who supports our Corps every day,” Green said in the news release.
“It has been an honor to serve as the 18th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. Though I am no longer in the game, I will be cheering from the sidelines. Take care of our Corps, your fellow Marines, your families and yourselves. Semper Fidelis.”
