Sergeant Major Christopher A. Slattery enlisted into the Marine Corps in the Delayed Entry Program on 10 October 1986. He began recruit training with Second Battalion, Fox Company at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina on 29 July 1987.
Upon completion of recruit training, Sergeant Major Slattery was transferred to Marine Corps Communications and Electronics School in Twentynine Palms, California, where he attended his MOS school. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in January of 1988 and graduated school as a Ground Radio Repairman in September of 1988.
In October of 1988, Sergeant Major Slattery was assigned to Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Air Wing, El Toro, California. He was promoted to Corporal in May of 1989. During his tour of duty, Sergeant Major Slattery deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. In November of 1991, he was promoted to Sergeant. He also served as the Color Sergeant for the unit.
In May of 1993, Sergeant Major Slattery transferred to Marine Air Control Squadron 4, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Air Wing, Okinawa, Japan. Sergeant Major Slattery was also named the III MEF Marine of the Year for 1993.
Sergeant Major Slattery then transferred back to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina where he attended and graduated as honor graduate of Drill Instructor School Class 4-95. Upon graduation, he was assigned to Second Battalion, Fox Company for duty as a drill instructor. Sergeant Major Slattery also served in Support Battalion as a Close Combat Instructor. He was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant in July of 1997.
In September of 1997, Sergeant Major Slattery transferred again to Marine Corps Communications and Electronics School in Twenty-nine Palms, California, for his career progression school in Technician Theory and Radio Theory.
In May of 1998, he was then assigned to Electronics Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton, California. He served as Section Chief, Maintenance Chief, and Company Gunnery Sergeant. Sergeant Major Slattery was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in April of 2000.
In April of 2001, Sergeant Major Slattery once again returned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina for duty within the Recruit Training Regiment. He served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Series Gunnery Sergeant with Second Battalion, Echo Company. Sergeant Major Slattery was selected to be an instructor at Drill Instructor School where he taught general military subjects, uniforms, and then went on to be the School Drill Master.
Upon being selected for First Sergeant and frocked in February of 2004, Sergeant Major Slattery was reassigned to 1st Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, where he served as Company First Sergeant in both Bravo and Charlie Companies.
In March 2005, Sergeant Major Slattery was transferred to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twenty-nine Palms, California, for duty with 3d Battalion, 11th Marines where he served as the Battery First Sergeant for Battery L, battery I, and Headquarters Battery. He deployed to Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program and served two tours in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In June 2008, Sergeant Major Slattery assumed the duties as the Sergeant Major for 3d Battalion, 11th Marines. He was frocked to his present rank in December 2008.
In January 2009, Sergeant Major Slattery assumed his present duties as the Sergeant Major of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California.
Sergeant Major Slattery´s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.