Biography
First Sergeant, Charlie Company, 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion
First Sergeant Jeffery Vandentop

1stSgt Vandentop is a native of Toronto, Ontario Canada.  1stSgt Vandentop enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1996 out of Upland, California and reported to MCRD, San Diego Ca for recruit training. Following graduation, he reported to Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, California and Supply School in Camp Johnson, North Carolina for MOS school. 

From July 1996 to July 1999, 1stSgt Vandentop was assigned to Camp Pendleton Ca, and served as a Supply Clerk and a Fiscal Chief, Alpha Company 4th Tank Bn.  1stSgt Vandentop completed a Unit Deployment to Trondheim Norway in support of Battle Griffin in 1998.    

In July 1999 1stSgt Vandentop reported to I&I duty at 4th Low Altitude Air Defense Bn in Pasadena Ca and served as a Supply Clerk and Supply Chief.  As a collateral duty 1stSgt Vandentop also served as the Color Sergeant.

In October of 2003, 1stSgt Vandentop reported to DI School, MCRD San Diego Ca, and further served with I Co, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion and Instructional Training Co, Support Bn. During his tour he served as Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Chief Martial Arts Instructor Trainer.  He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in May 2006. 

Following a successful tour at MCRD, 1stSgt Vandentop received orders to I MEF Headquarters Group where he served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant, Chief Instructor of Cpl’s Course. 

From January 2008 to February 2009 he deployed as the Company Gunnery Sergeant and Civil Affairs Group Pay Agent with I MHG and 1st Bn 4th Mar to Fallujah, Iraq.  He was Combat Meritoriously Promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in October 2008.  He deployed again as the Company Gunnery Sergeant for the I MHG to the Helmand Province, Afghanistan from February 2010 to February 2011. 

In May 2011, 1stSgt Vandentop received orders to Service Company, MCRD San Diego to serve as the Supply Chief.  Upon selection to the rank of 1stSgt in May 2012 he reported to Headquarters Company, Marine Corps Communication Electronics School, Twentynine Palms to serve as Company 1stSgt.  From April 2013 to March 2015 1stSgt Vandentop served as the Air Control Training Squadron SgtMaj.

In March 2015, 1stSgt Vandentop reported to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion where he holds his current billet as Charlie Company 1stSgt. 

1stSgt Vandentop has graduated with honors/distinction from the DI School, Martial Arts Instructor Trainer Course, SERE School, and the SNCO Advance Course.  His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/2 Gold stars in lieu of 3rd award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/four gold stars in lieu of fifth award, the Drill Instructor Ribbon and the Combat Action Ribbon.

 
1st Marine Division