VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- More than 100 Marines, Sailors and family members from Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group gathered to witness Sgt. Maj. Carl Gantt retire and turn over his duties as the sergeant major of the unit to Sgt. Maj. Derek D. Leggett during a relief and appointment ceremony at Sandpiper Recreation Center on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Jan. 9, 2014.
During the ceremony, the sword of office was taken from the current sergeant major by the commanding officer, Col. Matt Baker, signifying the relinquishing of their duty, and was then given to the incoming sergeant major. The traditional passing of the non-commissioned officer sword symbolizes the transfer of responsibility, knowledge and leadership to the new sergeant major for a unit.
Leggett, who is a native of Dade City, Fla., transferred to MCSCG from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 at Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he served as battalion sergeant major since February 2009.
Gantt, who is a native of Montgomery, Ala., retires from the Marine Corps after 30 years of honorable service. During his career, Gantt participated in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Gantt was joined at the ceremony by his wife Carrie, who is an English teacher at Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Va., since 1999.
Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group is a unit within the U.S. Marine Corps that executes and enables security cooperation (SC) programs, training, planning, and activities in order to ensure a unity of effort in support of institutional and regional Marine Forces Command (MARFOR) objectives, and in coordination with operating forces and Marine Air-Ground Task Forces.