Sergeant Major Carl J. Gantt 
Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group Command Sergeant Major

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Sergeant Major graduated high school in Montgomery, Alabama while his father was stationed there in the Air Force. He then attended Auburn University for two years before joining the Marine Corps. He completed basic training at MCRD Parris Island, S.C. in February 1984 and then attended Infantry Training School at Camp Geiger, N.C.

In April 1984, Private First Class Gantt began his first duty assignment as a Grenadier Rifleman with Kilo Company 3d Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He remained in Kilo Company 3/3 through the billets of fire team leader and squad leader then departed as a Corporal in January 1988 for 1st Force Reconnaissance Company in Camp Pendleton, Calif.

In August 1990, Sergeant Gantt deployed to Saudi Arabia with 1st Force Reconnaissance Company and served in theatre as a reconnaissance team leader through Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM.

In September 1993 he received oreders to Recruiter's School, and after graduation Staff Sergeant Gantt was transferred for duty to Asheville, N.C. 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 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 the 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 2d Beach and Terminal Operations Company, 4th Landing Support Battalion in Wilmington, N.C. In December 2005, upon selection for promotion to Sergeant Major, he was transferred to 3d Battalion, 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division where he completed two combat deployments. In April 2008, Sergeant Major Gantt was transferred to MALS-29 on MCAS New River for duty as the Squadron Sergeant Major. In May 2009, Sergeant Major Gantt was transferred to HQ MARFORCOM in Norfolk, Va. for duty as the HQSVCBN Sergeant Major until August of 2011. 

Sergeant Major Gantt's personal decorations include Bronze Star Medal with "V", Meritorious Service Medal with subsequent award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two subsequent awards, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two subsequent awards and "V", Combat Action Ribbon with subsequent award, Good Conduct Medal with eight subsequent awards and Gold Super Squad Badge.