SERGEANT MAJOR
Matthew B. Brookshire
USMC

Sergeant Major
MARINE AIR GROUND TASK FORCE TRAINING COMMAND,
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER

Sergeant Major Brookshire enlisted in the Marine Corps on 10 June 1987. He graduated from Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, in September 1987. He then attended training at Charlie Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, California, where he was assigned the MOS of 0311 and was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.

In November 1987, Sergeant Major Brookshire was assigned to Alpha Company, Marine Barracks 8th & I, Washington, D.C., where he served as a fire team leader and squad leader. While assigned to Marine Barracks, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal on 1 May 1989.

In November 1989, Sergeant Major Brookshire was assigned to Kilo Company, 3d Battalion, 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. While there, he deployed twice with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, serving as a squad leader and participating in Operation Sharp Edge in Monrovia, Liberia. Upon return from his second deployment, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on 1 May 1992.

Sergeant Major Brookshire then volunteered for Drill Instructor duty and graduated as the honor graduate from Class 4-92 in September 1992. Upon graduation, he was assigned to Hotel Company, 2d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, where he served as a Junior Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor. He was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant on 2 July 1994.

In October 1994, Sergeant Major Brookshire was assigned to India Company, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. During this tour, he served as Weapons Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant, deploying twice to Okinawa, Japan.

In October 1997, Sergeant Major Brookshire attended Class 1-98 as a prior Drill Instructor and was assigned to India Company, 3d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, where he served as a Junior Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Series Gunnery Sergeant. He was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on 1 November 1998. He was re-assigned to be an instructor at Drill Instructor School in September 1999, where he served as the Basic Warrior Training/Core Values Instructor and Drill Master.

In June 2001, Sergeant Major Brookshire reported to Echo Company, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, California, where he served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant until April 2002. He was then promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and was re-assigned to Lima Company, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, California. While assigned to Lima Company, he deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In August 2004, Sergeant Major Brookshire reported to Charlie Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he served as the Company First Sergeant. In February 2006, he was promoted to his current rank and assumed the duties as the Infantry Training Battalion Sergeant Major.

From October 2007 to December 2009 Sergeant Major Brookshire served as the Sergeant Major of 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, California. From April - December 2008, he deployed with the battalion to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he served as Task Force 2/7 Sergeant Major.

In January 2010, Sergeant Major Brookshire assumed the duties as the Recruit Training Regiment Sergeant Major, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.

Sergeant Major Brookshire assumed the duties of his current assignment as the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms California on 28 November 2011.

His personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one Gold Star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one Gold Star, and the Combat Action Ribbon with two Gold Stars.