Biography

First Sergeant, Company E, 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion
First Sergeant Marcus Fleming

First Sergeant Fleming is a native of Montgomery, Alabama.  He graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in June of 1995.  During the fall semester of the following year, he attended college at Alabama Southern and later Faulkner University on baseball scholarships.  First Sergeant Fleming enlisted in the Marine Corps in July of 1999 and arrived for recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, South Carolina.  Upon completion of recruit training in October of the same year, he was promoted to the rank of Private First Class.  Following recruit training, Private First Class Fleming attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina and follow on Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) schooling at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.  While attending MOS school, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.

    After attending specialized MOS training at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina in early 2000, Lance Corporal Fleming reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 31, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina for duty as an aircraft electrician.  In December of 2001, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal.

    After successfully completing the Corporal’s Leadership School aboard MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, Corporal Fleming deployed to Iwakuni, Japan with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron-122.  In August of 2002, while attached to MALS-12, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant after being selected as II Marine Aircraft Wing, NCO of the Quarter.

    Sergeant Fleming attended the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy (SNCOA) Sergeant’s Course located at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan in early 2003.  Upon graduation and completion of his one year overseas tour, Sergeant Fleming returned to the United States and MALS-31.  Selected for Special Duty Assignment, he reported to Drill Instructor School at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina in January of 2004.  Sergeant Fleming was additionally trained as a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) Instructor and assigned to Company C, First Recruit Training Battalion.  In July of 2005, Sergeant Fleming was handpicked as an augment to Officer Candidates School, Quantico Virginia and subsequently was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

    Completing a successful tour as a Drill Instructor, Staff Sergeant Fleming reported to MALS-26, MCAS New River, North Carolina for duty in March of 2007.  In October of the same year, Staff Sergeant Fleming deployed with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 as part of the inaugural MV-22 Osprey’s combat deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  Staff Sergeant Fleming returned to MALS-26 in April of 2008 and was selected for promotion to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in June of the same year.  Upon selection, he reported to the SNCOA, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as a student for the Advanced Course Class 6-08.  In January of 2009, Staff Sergeant Fleming deployed as part of Special Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in the Kandahar and Helmand Provinces.  He was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in February of 2009.

    In January 2010, upon return from Afghanistan, GySgt Fleming was selected for duty as a Drill Instructor at the University of Pennsylvania where he performed the duties of Assistant Marine Officer Instructor.  In November 2011, GySgt Fleming was selected to be promoted to the rank of First Sergeant.

    First Sergeant Fleming reported to Company C, 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division in early September 2012 until November 2013 when the company deactivated and was redesignated as Company E.  In late 2013, he deployed with the company to Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan where he and Company E supported efforts in Camp Fuji, Japan, Thailand, Korea, the Philippines, and aboard Naval shipping in the western Pacific theater of operation.  He returned to CONUS in the summer of 2014 and assumed continued his duties as the Company 1stSgt of Company E.

 In March 2015, First Sergeant Fleming reported to I & I Staff, Company C, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion where he presently serves as the I & I First Sergeant. 

    First Sergeant Fleming’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with four bronze stars in lieu of fifth award, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, as well as various unit, service, and campaign decorations.

 
1st Marine Division