Biography
Sergeant Major, 1st Marine Division
Sergeant Major Matthew J. Fouss

Sergeant Major Fouss of Summit, NJ, enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 1995. Following Recruit Training he reported to Infantry Training Battalion, SOI (West) earning the MOS 0352, TOW Gunner and a meritorious promotion to Lance Corporal.

LCpl Fouss then received orders to Weapons Co, 3d Bn, 1st Marines, holding the billets of TOW gunner, machine-gunner, and squad leader.

LCpl Fouss deployed with BLT 3/1, 11th MEU (SOC), completing a RIMPAC deployment, and a 6-month West-Pac Deployment. In Dec 1996 he was meritoriously promoted to Corporal. In April 1997, Cpl Fouss transferred to Hq’s Platoon, serving as the armory NCOIC, Company Career Planner, and 81mm Mortar representative in the Bn FSCC. Sergeant Fouss deployed again in June 1998, with BLT 3/1, 15th MEU (SOC).

Sgt Fouss reported for duty with Inspector-Instructor Staff, F Co, 2d Bn, 23d Marines, in March 1999, holding the concurrent billets of armory chief, motor transport chief, HazMat NCO, Maintenance Mgmt NCO, and Training NCO. During this tour he received the additional MOS 8551 Martial Arts Instructor, and MOS 9954 HazMat/HazWaste Handler.

Sgt Fouss next reported for duty with Weapons Co, 1st Bn, 3d Mar, 3d Mar Div, as a Section Leader in CAAT Platoon. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in August 2002. From October 2002 to Feb 2003, SSgt Fouss deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines. In April 2003 SSgt Fouss deployed with 1st Bn, 3d Mar, to Okinawa. In November, he was reassigned as a section leader in the 81mm Mortar Platoon. In April 2004 he was again reassigned to CAAT Platoon as the platoon sergeant.

SSgt Fouss deployed again in July 2004, with BLT 1/3, 31st MEU to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, participating in combat operations, including Operation Al Fajr. SSgt Fouss received a combat meritorious promotion to Gunnery Sergeant in Dec 2004.

GySgt Fouss received orders to the School of Infantry, Marine Combat Instructor Course (MOS 8513) in July 2005. He was assigned to Infantry Training Battalion, Headquarters and Instructor Group, as Chief Instructor for the Infantry Mortarman Course. In Dec 2006 he was assigned to Advanced Infantry Training Battalion as an Instructor with Infantry Unit Leader Course.

In July 2008 he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and reported to 1st Intelligence Battalion, I MHG, as the Headquarters Company First Sergeant. 1stSgt Fouss deployed to OIF 9.1 in March of 2009.

In June 2010 1stSgt Fouss reported for duty with Inspector-Instructor Staff, Company D(-), Anti-Terrorism Bn, Anchorage, AK, as the I&I First Sergeant. In January 2013, the unit was re-designated as Detachment, MP Co D, 4th Law Enforcement Bn, FHG, as part of the Marine Corps Force Structure Review.

In January 2014, Sergeant Major Fouss transferred to 1st Battalion, 3d Marines and assumed the duties as the battalion Sergeant Major, completing two-unit deployments as part of Forward Deployed Forces to Okinawa, Japan.

In December 2016, Sergeant Major Fouss reported to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, HI, as the air station Sergeant Major.

In February 2018, Sergeant Major Fouss transferred to the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport.

In November 2020, Sergeant Major Fouss reported to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea, as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader.

In December 2022 Sergeant Major Fouss reported to the 1st Marine Division and assumed his current duties as the 1st Marine Division Sergeant Major.

SgtMaj Fouss’ personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal w/ Gold Star in lieu of second award, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and (3) Gold Stars in lieu of fourth award, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

 
1st Marine Division