Sergeant Major Harting enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 1994 and completed recruit training at MCRD San Diego during November 1994. Following recruit training, Private First Class Harting attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, CA and MOS schools at NAS Millington, TN, MCAS El Toro CA, and MCAS Cherry Point, NC. He graduated as the Honor Graduate from his schools in Millington and Cherry Point. Upon completion of all schools, he was assigned MOS 6256, KC-130 Airframes and Hydraulics Systems Mechanic.

Lance Corporal Harting reported to his first command, VMGR-252, MCAS Cherry Point, NC in August 1995 and performed duties as an Airframes Mechanic. While attached to VMGR-252 he was selected as the 2nd MAW NCO of the Quarter as well as meritoriously promoted to both Corporal and Sergeant.

Sergeant Harting was then transferred to VMGR-152, MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan in May 1997 for duty as an Airframes System Collateral Duty Inspector. While at VMGR-152, he also served as an Airframes System Quality Assurance Representative, a MCAS Futenma Corporal’s Course Instructor, and in August 2000 was qualified as a Flight Mechanic taking on the additional duty as an enlisted air crewman. Also while attached to VMGR-152, he attended the SNCO Academy Sergeant’s Course and Career Course at Camp Hanson, Okinawa graduating as the Honor Graduate and a Distinguished Graduate respectively. On April 1st, 2000 he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.

Staff Sergeant Harting was then transferred to Marine Security Guard Battalion in September 2001 for duty as a Detachment Commander. After graduating MSG School in November 2001, Staff Sergeant Harting served as the Detachment Commander at the American Embassies in Madrid, Spain and Lomé, Togo West Africa. During his tour in Togo he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.

Gunnery Sergeant Harting was then transferred back to VMGR-252 in November 2004 where he served as the Airframes Division Chief, Maintenance Material Control Chief, and Quality Assurance Division Chief. In February 2005 he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the first operational deployment of the new KC-130 J model platform aircraft. In February 2007, Gunnery Sergeant Harting attended the SNCO Academy Advanced Course at Camp Lejeune, NC graduating as the Honor Graduate. In December 2007, while completing a second deployment to Iraq with VMGR-252, he was selected for First Sergeant.

First Sergeant Harting reported to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC in April 2008 where he served as the Headquarters and Service Company, Engineer Support Company and Bridge Company First Sergeant. From April to November 2009 he deployed with 8th ESB to Operation Enduring Freedom as part of the 2D Marine Expeditionary Brigade. In June 2010 First Sergeant Harting was transferred to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines in MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, CA and was assigned as the Company L First Sergeant. From April to October 2011 he deployed with 3/4 to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Following the deployment he attended the Senior Enlisted Professional Military Education Course and served as the Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant and interim Battalion Sergeant Major. 

Sergeant Major Harting was promoted to his current rank on 1 November 2012 and then served as the Battalion Sergeant Major for 3D Battalion, 11th Marines until May 2014. In July 2014 Sergeant Major Harting transferred to Marine Corps University to attend the resident Marine Corps Command and Staff College, graduating as a Distinguished Graduate in June 2015. In July 2015 he transferred to MCB Camp Pendleton, CA and currently serves as the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion Sergeant Major.Sergeant Major Harting earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Terrorism and Counter Terrorism from the American Military University in December 2006, and a Masters of Military Studies Degree from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in June 2015.

Sergeant Major Harting’s personal awards include the Purple Heart Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of fourth award and one combat distinguishing device, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award and the Combat Action Ribbon.