Carlton W . Kent Carlton Wayne Kent ( born November 5 , 1957 ) is a retired United States Marine who served as the 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps , assuming the post on April 25 , 2007 until June 9 , 2011 . He succeeded John L . Estrada , who had been serving in that capacity since June 2003 . He was succeeded by Micheal Barrett on June 9 , 2011 . Early life and education . Kent was born in Memphis , Tennessee on November 5 , 1957 . He graduated from the South Side High School in Memphis . Career . Kent completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island , South Carolina , in March 1976 and was assigned to the 1st Marine Brigade . In May 1978 , Kent was transferred to Marine Security Guard Battalion where he served as a Marine Security Guard at Embassies in Kinshasa , Zaire and Panama . In June 1981 , Kent transferred to Fort Benning for Airborne School and Parachute Riggers School at Fort Lee , Virginia . In June 1982 , he was assigned as 2nd Air Delivery Platoon Commander , and parachute rigger billets in various commands at Camp Lejeune . In February 1983 , Kent was transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego , California , for duty as a drill instructor , senior drill instructor , and battalion drill master with First Battalion . In January 1985 , Kent was meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant . In May 1985 , Kent transferred to the 3rd Air Delivery Platoon as platoon sergeant . In June 1986 , he transferred to Engineer Company , BSSG - 1 1st Marine Brigade , Hawaii , as Company Gunnery Sergeant . In March 1988 , Kent was assigned to Noncommissioned Officers School , 1st Marine Brigade , as the NCOIC . In February 1989 , Kent transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot , Parris Island , South Carolina , as a student at Drill Instructor School . After completion of Drill Instructor School , Kent was assigned to Naval Aviation Officers Candidate School in Pensacola , Florida , as a Drill Instructor , Chief Drill Instructor , and First Sergeant . In February 1990 , Kent was promoted to First Sergeant and assigned as First Sergeant , Marine Aviation and Training Support Group , Pensacola , Florida . In June 1992 , he transferred to 4th Marine Regiment for duty . In June 1993 , he transferred to the Army Sergeants Major Academy , Fort Bliss , Texas . After graduation , in February 1994 he was transferred and assigned as First Sergeant , Battery L , 3rd Battalion , 12th Marines . In December 1994 , he assumed the duties as the Sergeant Major of the 3rd Battalion , 12th Marines . In August 1997 , Kent was transferred to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot , San Diego , California , where he was assigned duties as Sergeant Major Second Recruit Training Battalion , and , in September 1999 , as Sergeant Major Recruit Training Regiment . In May 2001 , he was transferred to Marine Forces Europe / Fleet Marine Force Europe , Stuttgart , Germany , where he was assigned the duties as the Sergeant Major of Marine Forces Europe / FMF Europe . In April 2004 , he was transferred to I Marine Expeditionary Force , Camp Pendleton , California , where he served as the Sergeant Major of the I Marine Expeditionary Force . On January 19 , 2007 , General James Conway , the Commandant of the Marine Corps , announced that Kent would become the 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps , succeeding John L . Estrada . On April 25 , 2007 , in a ceremony at the Marine Barracks , Washington , D . C . , Kent assumed the top Marine Corps enlisted post . He was succeeded by Micheal Barrett on June 9 , 2011 , at Marine Barracks , Washington , D . C . Personal life . Kent is the recipient of the General Gerald C . Thomas Award for inspirational leadership . Awards and decorations . Kent holds the rifle expert ( 3rd award ) and pistol sharpshooter marksmanship badges and eight service stripe s .