Carlton W. Kent
Kent in January 2007
Born	(1957-11-05) November 5, 1957 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1976–2011
Rank	Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Medal (2) Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2)

Carlton Wayne Kent (born November 5, 1957)^[1] is a retired United States Marine who served as the 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. He succeeded John L. Estrada on April 25, 2007, and was succeeded by Micheal Barrett on June 9, 2011.^[2][3][4][5]

Early life and education

Carlton Wayne Kent was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on November 5, 1957. He graduated from the South Side High School in Memphis.^[6]

Military career

Kent completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, in March 1976 and was assigned to the 1st Marine Brigade. In May 1978, Kent was transferred to Marine Security Guard Battalion where he served as a Marine Security Guard at Embassies in Kinshasa, Zaire and Panama.

In June 1981, Kent transferred to Fort Benning for Airborne School and Parachute Riggers School at Fort Lee, Virginia. In June 1982, he was assigned as 2nd Air Delivery Platoon Commander, and parachute rigger billets in various commands at Camp Lejeune. Kent was transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, in February 1983 for duty as a drill instructor, senior drill instructor, and battalion drill master with First Battalion. In January 1985, Kent was meritoriously promoted to gunnery sergeant.

Kent transferred to the 3rd Air Delivery Platoon in May 1985 as platoon sergeant. In June 1986, he transferred to Engineer Company, BSSG-1 1st Marine Brigade, Hawaii, as company gunnery sergeant. In March 1988, Kent was assigned to Noncommissioned Officers School, 1st Marine Brigade, as the NCOIC.

Kent transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, in February 1989 as a student at Drill Instructor School. After completion of Drill Instructor School, Kent was assigned to Naval Aviation Officers Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, as a drill instructor, chief drill instructor, and first sergeant. In February 1990, Kent was promoted to first sergeant and assigned as first sergeant, Marine Aviation and Training Support Group, Pensacola, Florida.

In June 1992, Kent transferred to 4th Marine Regiment for duty. In June 1993, he transferred to the Army Sergeants Major Academy, Fort Bliss, Texas. After graduation, in February 1994, he was transferred and assigned as first sergeant, Battery L, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. In December 1994, he assumed the duties as the sergeant major of the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines.

Kent salutes the grave of Sergeant Major Wilbur Bestwick in February 2009.

Kent was transferred to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, in August 1997 where he was assigned duties as sergeant major Second Recruit Training Battalion, and, in September 1999, as sergeant major Recruit Training Regiment. In May 2001, he was transferred to Marine Forces Europe/Fleet Marine Force Europe, Stuttgart, Germany, where he was assigned the duties as the sergeant major of Marine Forces Europe/FMF Europe. Kent was transferred to I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California, in April 2004 where he served as the sergeant major of the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

On January 19, 2007, General James T. Conway, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, announced that Kent would become the 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, succeeding John L. Estrada.^[7] On April 25, 2007, in a ceremony at the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., Kent assumed the top Marine Corps enlisted post.^[2] He was succeeded by Micheal Barrett on June 9, 2011, at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.^[8]

Personal life

Kent is the recipient of the General Gerald C. Thomas Award for inspirational leadership.

Kent is married to "Liz" Kent.^[9]

Awards and decorations

Kent holds the rifle expert (3rd award) and pistol sharpshooter marksmanship badges and eight service stripes.

Medals and ribbons

Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia
1st row		Navy Distinguished Service Medal	Legion of Merit w/ 1 award star
2nd row	Bronze Star	Meritorious Service Medal w/ 1 award star	Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 1 award star	Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 award star
3rd row	Combat Action Ribbon	Navy Unit Commendation w/ 1 service star	Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation	Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal w/ 10 service stars
4th row	National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star	Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal	Korea Defense Service Medal
5th row	Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 8 service stars	Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon w/ 3 service stars	Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon w/ 2 service stars	Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon
Badges	Rifle Expert marksmanship badge		Pistol Sharpshooter marksmanship badge

Notes

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

• "CARLTON W. KENT". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. Marine Corps History Division. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
• Hoellwarth, John (January 19, 2007). "Kent named next sergeant major of the Marine Corps". Marine Corps Times. Archived from the original on 2007-02-14. Retrieved 2007-01-20.
• "Sergeant Major Carlton W. Kent, Sergeant Major, I Marine Expeditionary Force". I MEF Sergeant Major Biography. I MEF, United States Marine Corps. August 17, 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-02-16. Retrieved 2007-01-20.
• "U.S. Marine Corps – 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps: Carlton W. Kent". United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-04-10. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
• Lloyd, Crystal (December 8, 2006). "Marine: Take life seriously". Memphis Online. CommercialAppeal.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-20. Message from SgtMaj Kent to high school students.
• "Portrait and Profile: Sgt Maj Carlton W. Kent". Marines Magazine. United States Marine Corps. March 25, 2010. Archived from the original on 11 June 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
• Purvis, Mearl (May 3, 2010). "Local Marine Rises High". WHBQ-TV. Archived from the original on 7 May 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2010.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Carlton W. Kent.

• SgtMaj. Carlton W. Kent (USMC Ret.) on the importance of Education on YouTube. Publisher: Trident University International; Published on October 31, 2013. Accessed on 2018-03-05.
• "Biography: Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent". The History Makers. February 16, 2013. Retrieved 2018-03-05.