The Sergeant Major of the Fourth Recruit Training Battalion is
Sergeant Major Laura L. Brown.

Upon graduation from Oliver Wendell Holmes High School in San Antonio, Texas, Brown enlisted into the Marine Corps on July 9, 1984. Private Salazar left Parris Island, S.C. to attend her Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) School of Disbursing in Camp Lejeune, N.C. Upon completion of her MOS school, Pvt Salazar’s first duty station was Cherry Point , N.C.

Upon her promotion to meritorious Corporal, Brown reenlisted for orders to Quantico Virginia.

Brown reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, South Carolina to attend Drill Instructor School in January of 1992. While at Parris Island, Brown graduated five platoons, became the first female history instructor for both Female and Male recruits and was the 4th Battalion Drill Master. Brown returned to her MOS of Disbursing during a tour to Iwakuni, Japan, in 1994. While in Iwakuni, Brown deployed in support of Operation Pitch Black, in Australia.

Brown then reported to El Toro, Calif., in June 1995, as a disburser where she stayed until the Base Realignment and Closure. (BRAC). Brown assisted in the opening of the Disbursing Office in Miramar, Calif., in June 1997.

Upon promotion to gunnery sergeant she volunteered for the billet as the company gunnery sergeant for Headquarters and Service Squadron in Miramar Calif., from March 1999 to March 2001 . Brown returned to the Disbursing Office until her promotion to first sergeant. Brown reported to the Headquarters and Service Battalion aboard Camp Pendleton, California in May 2002. She deployed with Military Police Company in 2003 in support of Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom and again with Service Company in 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Upon her return from deployment, Brown transferred to 1st Medical Battalion, CLR 15. In December of 2005, Brown was promoted to her current rank and received orders to Fourth Recruit Training Battalion Parris Island, S.C.

Her personal awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation medal with 3 gold stars in lieu of 4th Award, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal with one Silver Star and one Bronze Star, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Ribbon, and a Drill Instructor Ribbon.