Biography
Sergeant Major, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines
Sergeant Major Michael E. Cedeno

A native of Texas, Sergeant Major Cedeno attended basic training in April 1995 at MCRD San Diego.  He attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) in Camp Pendleton. Upon completion of MCT he attended the Basic Radio Operators Course in 29 Palms, California and received the Military Occupational Skill 2531.  In September of 1995, as Private First Class, Sergeant Major Cedeno executed orders to Alpha Battery 1st Battalion 10th Marines in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

 In January of 1996, Sergeant Major Cedeno was deployed to Norway in support of OPERATION BATTLE GRIFFIN.  In February of 1997, as Lance Corporal, he left for a Mediterranean Float with the 22nd MEU.  While on the deployment, he participated in OPERATION GUARDIAN RETRIEVAL in Brazzaville, Africa.  He also conducted a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation for OPERATION NOBEL OBELISK in Freetown, Sierra Leon. 

     In January 1999, as a Sergeant, he received orders to 3d Marine Regiment Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. In October 1999 he deployed to Australia for OPERATION CROCODILE.  In September 2001 he deployed to Australia again for OPERATION TANDEM THRUST.  Upon returning from Australia he was deployed aboard the USS Nassau for Exercise RIM OF THE PACIFIC in February 2002.

 Sergeant Major Cedeno attended Drill Instructor Course 4-02 at Parris Island, South Carolina in May 2002. As a Staff Sergeant, he completed six cycles as a drill instructor and two as a senior drill instructor.  In November of 2004 Sergeant Major Cedeno was transferred to Support Company Recruit Training Regiment to serve as the operations chief. In September 2005 he received TEMINS Orders to Radio Chief Course in 29 Palms, California and received the MOS 0629. Upon completion in December, he checked into 9th Communication Battalion Camp Pendleton, California.

 While in 9th Communication Battalion, Sergeant Major Cedeno was TAD to I MEF in support of IRAQI FREEDOM 05-07. While assigned to I MEF Sergeant Major Cedeno was attached to Multi-National Force West Training Center in Habbaniyah, Iraq where he served as communication chief and later as SNCOIC.  While on deployment he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.  Upon returning to Camp Pendleton in February 2007, Sergeant Major Cedeno was placed into Support Company as Company Gunnery Sergeant and in October 2007 assumed the billet of Company First Sergeant

 In May 2008 Sergeant Major Cedeno executed orders to Rice University in Houston, Texas to serve as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor.  While assigned to this duty, he participated in the Bull Dog Program and trained candidates at Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia during the summer increment of 2008.  Sergeant Major Cedeno also trained midshipmen at Camp Pendleton, California during the summer of 2009 in support of CORTRAMID.  In July 2010, as First Sergeant, he received orders to 2d Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. 

        In August 2010 Sergeant Major Cedeno reported to 2d Battalion 3d Marines and was assigned as the Company First Sergeant for Golf Company.  While assigned to Golf Company, he deployed to Afghanistan in November 2010 and returned in June 2011 in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.  He deployed again with Golf Company to the Pacific on Unit Deployment Program in June 2012. He returned to Hawaii in December 2012.  Sergeant Major Cedeno received PCA Orders to report to Combat Logistics Battalion 3, 3d Logistics Regiment 3, 3d Logistics Group in February 2013. Upon checking into CLB-3, he was assigned as the Company First Sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company. In December 2014 Sergeant Major Cedeno received orders to report to 1st Battalion 7th Marines as Battalion Sergeant Major.

         In January 2015, Sergeant Major Cedeno assumed the post as Battalion Sergeant Major for 1st Battalion, 7th Marines.

          Sergeant Major Cedeno’s personal awards include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four gold stars and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star.

 
1st Marine Division