Sergeant Major Jerry L. Bailey

Sergeant Major, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina

SgtMaj Jerry L. Bailey enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 1981 from Salisbury, MD, and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC, in July 1982. Upon completion of recruit training, he reported to Motor Transport Schools Company, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC, for training as a heavy vehicle operator. In February 1983, he was assigned to 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, Camp Lejeune, as a heavy vehicle operator. After completion of several deployments and attending airborne school at Fort Benning, GA, LCpl Bailey was transferred back to Motor Transport Schools Company where he was assigned duties as a heavy vehicle operator instructor.

He was transferred to Headquarters Company, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA in November 1986. In May 1988, Sgt Bailey was transferred to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton. While assigned to 3/1, he completed two Western Pacific deployments, the last one in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

In November 1991, he was assigned to Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton as the commanding general's driver. The following year, he was transferred to Headquarters and Service Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force as the Commanding General's driver, where he deployed to Operation Restore Hope in Somalia.

Following this assignment, SSgt Bailey completed a successful tour as a Marine recruiter with 1st Marine Corps District, Garden City, NY. In July 1997, GySgt Bailey was assigned to Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune as a section leader for 4th Platoon. In May 1999, GySgt Bailey was transferred to Headquarters Battalion, Camp Fuji, Japan for duty as the company gunnery sergeant. He returned to Camp Lejeune in July 2000 to serve as the Marine Corps Base roadmaster. After his promotion to 1stSgt in April 2001, he was assigned to Company B, H&SBn, MCB Camp Lejeune. In 2003 he was reassigned to Company A within the same battalion.

SgtMaj Bailey was promoted to his present rank in April 2005 and transferred to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

SgtMaj Bailey's personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal, two Navy Achievement Medals, seven Good Conduct Medals, and the Combat Action Ribbon.