Carlton W. Kent

Carlton W. Kent
Kent in January 2007
Born	November 5, 1957 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1976–2011
Rank	Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
Unit	United States Marine Corps
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit with gold award star Bronze Star

Carlton Wayne Kent (born November 5, 1957)^[1] is a retired United States Marine who served as the 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, assuming the post on April 25, 2007, until June 9, 2011.^[2][3][4][5] He succeeded John L. Estrada, who had been serving in that capacity since June 2003. He was succeeded by Micheal Barrett on June 9, 2011.

Early life and education

Kent was born in Memphis, Tennessee on November 5, 1957. He graduated from the South Side High School in Memphis.^[6]

Career

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, Kent was transferred to Marine Security Guard Battalion where he served as a Marine Security Guard at Embassies in Kinshasa, Zaire and Panama.

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

In February 1983, 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, Kent was meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.

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

In February 1989, Kent transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, as a student at Drill Instructor School. After completion of Drill Instructor School, 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, Kent was promoted to first sergeant and assigned as first sergeant, Marine Aviation and Training Support Group, 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, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. In December 1994, he assumed the duties as the sergeant major of the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines.

Kent salutes the grave of Sergeant Major Wilbur Bestwick in February 2009.

In August 1997, 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/Fleet Marine Force 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 served as the sergeant major of the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

On January 19, 2007, General James Conway, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, announced that Kent would become the 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, succeeding John L. Estrada.^[7] On April 25, 2007, in a ceremony at the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., Kent assumed the top Marine Corps enlisted post.^[2] He was succeeded by Micheal Barrett on June 9, 2011, at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.^[8]

Personal life

Kent is the recipient of the General Gerald C. Thomas Award for inspirational leadership.

Awards and decorations

Kent holds the rifle expert (3rd award) and pistol sharpshooter marksmanship badges and eight service stripes.

Medals and ribbons

Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia
1st row		Navy Distinguished Service Medal	Legion of Merit w/ 1 award star
2nd row	Bronze Star	Meritorious Service Medal w/ 1 award star	Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 1 award star	Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 award star
3rd row	Combat Action Ribbon	Navy Unit Commendation w/ 1 service star	Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation	Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal w/ 10 service stars
4th row	National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star	Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal	Korea Defense Service Medal
5th row	Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 8 service stars	Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon w/ 3 service stars	Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon w/ 2 service stars	Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon

Notes

1. Ajanaku, Dr. Karanja A. (September 8, 2007). "From South Memphis to the Pentagon: THE SERGEANT MAJOR". Memphis Tri-State Defender. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
2. Hoellwarth, John (April 26, 2007). "Kent becomes top enlisted Marine". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved 2007-04-25.
3. Beth Zimmerman (April 10, 2007). "Kent to replace Estrada on April 25". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
4. Delai, Marine Corps News, 2007.
5. "16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps assumes post". United States Marine Corps. April 27, 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-27.
6. Lloyd, Memphis Online, 2006.
7. Hoellwarth, Marine Corps Times, January 2007.
8. Cifuentes, Sergeant Michael S. (April 13, 2011). "Commandant announces next Sergeant Major of Marines". Headquarters Marine Corps. United States Marine Corps. Retrieved April 25, 2011.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

• "CARLTON W. KENT". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. Marine Corps History Division. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
• Hoellwarth, John (January 19, 2007). "Kent named next sergeant major of the Marine Corps". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved 2007-01-20.
• "Sergeant Major Carlton W. Kent, Sergeant Major, I Marine Expeditionary Force". I MEF Sergeant Major Biography. I MEF, United States Marine Corps. August 17, 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-02-16. Retrieved 2007-01-20.
• "U.S. Marine Corps - 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps: Carlton W. Kent". United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-04-10. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
• Lloyd, Crystal (December 8, 2006). "Marine: Take life seriously". Memphis Online (CommercialAppeal.com). Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-20. Message from SgtMaj Kent to high school students.
• "Portrait and Profile: Sgt Maj Carlton W. Kent". Marines Magazine. United States Marine Corps. March 25, 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
• Purvis, Mearl (May 3, 2010). "Local Marine Rises High". WHBQ-TV. Retrieved 5 May 2010.