SgtMaj Burkett graduated from Overbrook High School in 1994. He reported to Boot Camp at Paris Island, SC in November of 1994. He graduated Boot Camp and was meritoriously promoted to private first class. PFC Burkett was then assigned to Basic Supply School in the spring of 1995 at Camp Johnson, North Carolina. Upon graduating from Supply School, PFC Burkett reported for duty to Marine Air Support Squadron 1, Cherry Point, NC.
While assigned to MASS-1, PFC Burkett was assigned as the Fiscal Clerk. In the fall of 1995, he was promoted to lance corporal. In March of 1996, he was meritoriously promoted to corporal. Corporal Burkett requested and received orders for Marine Security Guard duty. In May of 1997, Cpl Burkett reported to Marine Security Guard School in Quantico, Virginia. Upon graduation, he was assigned to MSG Detachment Paris, France. While in Paris, he was promoted to sergeant and served as Sergeant of the Guard. Sgt Burkett was then assigned to MSG Detachment Ankara, Turkey. While in Turkey, he was assigned as Assistant Detachment Commander. Upon completion of his tour on MSG Duty, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.
In January of 2000, SSgt Burkett was assigned to Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany Georgia as the G3 Assistant Operations Chief. While in Albany, he also served as the chief instructor of the Corporals Leadership Course. He also attended the Career Course at Camp Lejeune, NC and graduated as a Distinguished Graduate. He then attended the Basic Parachutist Course at Fort Benning, GA. In 2002, SSgt Burkett was assigned as the SNCOIC, MMFAX-1, Repairable Issue Point. After completing his tour in Albany, SSgt Burkett was assigned orders to Kaneohe Bay, HI.
SSgt Burkett reported to the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy in Kaneohe, HI in August of 2003. He served as the Supply Chief, Instructor and Deputy Director while at the Academy. In January, 2004, SSgt Burkett was promoted to the rank of gunnery sergeant. GySgt Burkett attended the Advanced Course at Quantico, VA and graduated as the Honor Graduate as well as the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Writing Award recipient. GySgt Burkett also graduated EWS phases I and II while serving at the staff academy. In 2005, he was named the Academy’s Instructor of the Year and was the winner of the Elihu Rose Award, which designates Marine Corps University’s most outstanding enlisted educator.
In March of 2006, GySgt Burkett was assigned to CSSG-3 at Kaneohe Bay, HI. He volunteered for an IA billet with 9th Engineer Support Battalion in Okinawa, Japan. He deployed to OIF as the Headquarters and Service Company Gunnery Sergeant. Upon returning to Hawaii in May of 2007, he deployed to Mongolia while serving on the Marine Enlisted Liaison Development Exchange Program. In December of 2007, GySgt Burkett returned to CSSG-3. While with CSSG-3, GySgt Burkett completed Command and Staff College at the College of Continuing Education.
In December of 2007, GySgt Burkett was selected for promotion to 1stSgt. He was assigned orders to 1/11 at Camp Pendleton, CA. 1stSgt Burkett reported for duty with Alpha Battery, 1/11 in May of 2008. While with Alpha Battery, he completed an 11th MEU deployment while attached to Battalion Landing Team 2/4. 1stSgt Burkett reported for assignment at Marine Corps Embassy Security Guard Region Two in June 2010. While at Region 2, he attended the Senior Enlisted PME in Quantico, Virginia. Additionally, he wrote an article published in the Marine Corps Gazette titled “Special Duty: Balancing the Corps”. In May 2012, he transferred to Marine Corps Security Force Regiment HQ. In February 2013 he was promoted to his current rank and transferred to Marine Corps Security Force Battalion Bangor, WA. In January 2015, SgtMaj Burkett was transferred to his current position as Sergeant Major of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.
SgtMaj Burkett’s personal decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation with four Gold Stars; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two Gold Stars.