Sergeant Major Justin L. Ezell enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 1995 and graduated recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, California. After completing recruit training, he completed Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton California. Private Ezell then reported to Camp Johnson, North Carolina, for basic and advanced automotive technology training in diesel technology and graduated as a Motor Transport rebuild mechanic.
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After graduating military occupational school, Private First Class Ezell reported to 3d FSSG, 1st Maintenance Battalion, Component Rebuild Platoon in Okinawa, Japan in July 1996. While in Okinawa, Lance Corporal Ezell deployed to Hokkaido, Japan for Operation Forest Light and to Pohang, Korea with Combat Service Support Detachment 33.
In June 1997 he was promoted to Corporal and in July transferred to 1st Force Service Support Group, 7th Motor Transport Battalion, in Camp Pendleton, California. While here he served as a mechanic, floor chief, quality control, and participated in several Combined Arms Exercises and Steel Knight exercises. He also completed the Corporals course and Sergeants course at Camp Pendleton.
In September 2000 Sergeant Ezell received orders to Drill Instructor School at MCRD San Diego, California. Upon completion of Drill Instructor School, Sergeant Ezell was assigned to Echo Company, 2d Recruit Training Battalion. Sergeant Ezell successfully completed seven cycles as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor. Sergeant Ezell also served as aMarine Combat Instructor of Water Survival and Marine Combat Instructor Trainer of Water Survival while on quota at the swim tank on MCRD training recruits and Drill Instructors in water survival skills.
In February 2004 Staff Sergeant Ezell received orders back to Camp Pendleton, California to 1st Marine Logistics Group, Combat Service Support Group 1 to serve as a Maintenance Chief. While here he deployed as a Platoon Sergeant to Iraq as provisional security with Regimental Combat Team 7, Combat Logistics Group 7, Security Company in 2006 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He also attended the career course and advance course while at Camp Pendleton, California.
In May 2007 Gunnery Sergeant Ezell received orders to Assistant Marine Officer Instructor (AMOI) duty, Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City. In Utah, he served as a Sergeant Instructor at Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia in the summers of 2008 and 2009 for Golf Company and India Company. Gunnery Sergeant Ezell was the recipient of the AMOI of the year award for 2009. Gunnery Sergeant Ezell was selected to the rank of First Sergeant in December 2009 and received orders to 1st Battalion 12th Marines, Marine Corps Base Hawaii and assigned as the First Sergeant for Echo Battery, where he reported June 2010. While with Echo Battery, First Sergeant Ezell deployed to the Kajaki District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan and participated in Operations Harvest Moon and Eastern Storm. Upon returning from this deployment, he was assigned as the Headquarters Battery First Sergeant.
In January 2013, First Sergeant Ezell was transferred to 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, Bravo Company in Smyrna GA as the Inspector – Instructor First Sergeant. Sergeant Major Ezell was transferred to 2d Battalion 11th Marines, Camp Pendleton, CA in July of 2015 and currently is serving as the Battalion Sergeant Major. Sergeant Major Ezell holds an AAS and BAS in Business Management from Wayland Baptist University.
His Personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Commendation Medal (with one gold star in lieu of second award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with three gold stars in lieu of fourth award), Combat Action Ribbon (with one gold Star in lieu of second award) and the Naval Parachutist Insignia.