The Sergeant Major of the First Recruit Training Battalion is
Sergeant Major Joseph Gray.

Sergeant Major Joseph Gray enlisted in the Marine Corps in November 1989 and reported to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina in March 1990. Following recruit training, Private Gray attended the Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Geiger, North Carolina from July to August 1990. After MCT he reported to Marine Corps Engineer School where he was assigned the Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) of 1141, Basic Electrician.

In November 1990, PFC Gray reported to 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force, aboard Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. In February 1991, PFC Gray was transferred to 7th Communication Battalion, 3rd Surveillance Reconnaissance Intelligence Group, at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan.

During November 1991, Lance Corporal Gray reported to 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Camp LeJeune, North Carolina where he served as electrician and Battery Training NCO for Headquarters Battery. In December 1992, Corporal Gray deployed with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, to Mogadishu, Somalia, in support of Operation Restore Hope. In May 1994, Sergeant Gray attended the Sergeant’s Course at the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy aboard Camp Geiger.

Sergeant Gray reported to Drill Instructor School, Parris Island, South Carolina in September 1994. Upon completion of DI School, Sergeant Gray was assigned to Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, where he completed five training cycles, serving as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor.

In February 1997, Sergeant Gray reported to Headquarters and Service Company, Marine Barracks, 8th & I, Washington, D.C. for duty as Head Electrician. In December 1997, Sergeant Gray was selected to serve at the White House, as Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the White House NCO Program. During his assignment he was promoted to Staff Sergeant in December 1998.

In February 1999, Staff Sergeant Gray returned to Headquarters and Service Company, Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., where he served as Head Electrician, Logistics Chief, and Public Works Liaison Officer. In October 1999, Staff Sergeant Gray attended the Career Course at the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy, Quantico, Va.

In June of 2001, Staff Sergeant Gray reported to the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of South Carolina, where he served as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor. During his tour he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in January 2003. Gunnery Sergeant Gray served at Officer Candidate School as a Sergeant Instructor during the summer Bulldog Course 2002 and as a Platoon Sergeant during summer Bulldog Course 2003.

Upon completion of AMOI Duty, Gunnery Sergeant Gray reported to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, in June 2004 where he served as Utilities Chief and Battalion Logistics Chief. During his tour with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, Gunnery Sergeant Gray attended the Advanced Course Class 2-05 at the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Okinawa, Japan, where he distinguished himself as the Class Honor Graduate and won the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Writing Award. He was frocked to the rank of first sergeant in January 2006 and was assigned to Company A, 9th Engineer Support Battalion where he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February to September 2006.

In May 2007, First Sergeant Gray transferred to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, where he was assigned to Animal Company and deployed from April to November 2008, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-1. Upon his return from Iraq, 1stSgt Gray was reassigned to Headquarters and Service Company until March 2010.
In April 2010, 1stSgt Gray transferred to MCRD PISC where he was assigned as the first sergeant for Company D, 1st Recruit Training Battalion. In February 2011, Sergeant Major Gray was promoted to his current rank and was assigned as the 1st Recruit Training Battalion Sergeant Major.

Sergeant Major Gray’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star in lieu of 2nd award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of 2nd award, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars in lieu of 3rd award, the Combat Action Ribbon with gold star in lieu of 2nd award and is authorized to wear the Presidential Service Badge.