17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Announced

17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Announced

HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS- The Commandant of the Marine Corps announced today his selection for the next Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

"I'm pleased to announce Sergeant Major Micheal P. Barrett as the 17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps," said General James Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps. "Sergeant Major Barrett, through his long and distinguished service to our Nation, has demonstrated that he is particularly well-suited to serve as my senior enlisted advisor through the challenges ahead. My wife Bonnie and I welcome him and his wife Susan and look forward to serving with them."

Sergeant Major Barrett will replace Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, who has served as the 16th SMMC since April 25, 2007. The relief and appointment, and retirement of Sgt. Maj. Kent will take place on June 9 at Marine Barracks Washington.

Sergeant Major Barrett recently returned from Afghanistan where he served as the sergeant major of Regional Command Southwest and I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). He currently serves as the sergeant major of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, CA.

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.