Sergeant Major Carl J. Gantt
Headquarters Service Battalion Sergeant Major

______________________________________________________________________________________________
  
Sergeant Major Carl J. Gantt graduated High School in Montgomery, Alabama while his father, an Air Force veteran, was stationed there. He then attended Auburn University for two years before joining the Marine Corps.

He completed basic training at MCRD Parris Island, SC in February 1984 then attended Infantry Training School at Camp Geiger, NC. In April 1984, PFC Gantt began his first duty assignment as a Grenadier Rifleman with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, HI. He remained in Kilo Company 3/3 through the billets of fire team leader and squad leader, departing as a Corporal in January 1988 for 1st Force Reconnaissance Company in Camp Pendleton, CA.

In August 1990, Sergeant Gantt deployed to Saudi Arabia with 1st Force Reconnaissance Company and served in theater as a team leader through Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

In September 1993 he received orders to Recruiter's School, and after graduation, Staff Sergeant Gantt was transferred for duty to Asheville, NC as a recruiter in the 6th Marine Corps District. After a successful three-year recruiting tour, Staff Sergeant Gantt reported to Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Atlantic in December 1996 for duty as a reconnaissance instructor at the Amphibious Reconnaissance School aboard Ft. Story in Virginia Beach, VA. In November 1998 he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and in March 2001 became the Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the Amphibious Reconnaissance School.

In March 2002 he was selected for First Sergeant and was transferred to Okinawa, Japan. There he served as Company First Sergeant for Truck Company, HQBN, 3d Marine Division aboard Camp Hansen.

In June 2003, First Sergeant Gantt was assigned as the Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant for 2nd Beach Terminal Operations Company, 4th Landing Support Battalion in Wilmington, NC. In December 2005, upon selection for promotion to Sergeant Major, he was transferred to 3d Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, for duty as the battalion SgtMaj. In April 2008, SgtMaj Gantt was transferred to MALS-29 on New River MCAS for his current assignment as the Squadron SgtMaj.

Sgt. Maj. Gantt's personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with "V", Meritorious Service Medal with subsequent award, Navy Commendation Medal with two subsequent awards, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two subsequent awards and "V", Combat Action Ribbon with subsequent award and Good Conduct Medal with 7 subsequent awards.