SgtMaj Black was born on 22 September 1979 in Decatur, Illinois. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2000 and attended recruit training at MCRD San Diego, CA.
Upon completion of recruit training, PFC Black attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Pendleton, CA. After completing MCT, he received orders to Fort Sill, OK for Field Artillery Training to go on and earn the MOS of 0811 (Cannon Crewman). Upon completion of MOS training, PFC Black received orders to MCB Camp Lejeune, NC with 5th Battalion 10th Marines, Tango Battery, where he would served as a Canon Crewman.
In 2001-2002 he completed his first deployment in support of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) to Okinawa, Japan where he participated in Operation Balikatan in the Philippines. Cpl Black then deployed for his second tour in support of the Unit Deployment Program in 2003.
In May 2004, Sgt Black received orders to Recruiters School at MCRD San Diego, CA. After completing the Basic Recruiter School, he was assigned to Recruiting Station Fort Lauderdale, FL, 6th Marine Corps District, Recruiting Sub-Station Fort Pierce, FL where he served as a Canvassing Recruiter, and then Sub-station SNCOIC. During his second year on recruiting duty he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
In May 2007, SSgt Black received orders to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines, HQ Battery, Camp Lejeune, NC where he served as the acting Battery Gunnery Sergeant before receiving follow on orders to II MEF for assignment as a Field Artillery Effects Advisory on a Military Transition Team to Al Anbar Province, Iraq. SSgt Black returned from Iraq in June 2008 and reported to 10th Marine Regiment where he served as an Artillery Training School Instructor.
In March 2009, SSgt Black was assigned to Battery F, 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines, Camp Lejeune, NC where he served as the Guns Platoon Sergeant until 2010. SSgt Black deployed in August 2010 with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, on the 26th MEU as the Battery Gunnery Sergeant. He was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in October 2010 while on deployment. He served his second combat deployment in Helmand Province, Afghanistan as the Battery Gunnery Sergeant for the Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS).
In May 2011, GySgt Black received orders to Headquarters Marine Corps with the Manpower Management’s Enlisted Assignments Branch (MMEA), Quantico, VA, where he served as an Enlisted Career Counselor and was selected to 1stSgt in his third year, and frocked prior to executing orders.
In June 2014, 1stSgt Black received orders to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines were he served as the Company I First Sergeant through a deployment on the 24 MEU, and upon returning was assigned as the Headquarters and Service Company 1stSgt for the duration of his time.
In May 2016, 1stSgt Black received orders to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion Camp Lejeune, NC where he served as the Company 1stSgt for Headquarters and Service Company, Force Company, and Bravo Company. In May of 2019, SgtMaj Black reported to his current assignment as the 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company SgtMaj.
SgtMaj Black has graduated with honors from the American Military University with an Associate’s Degree in Management and is currently pursuing of his Bachelor’s degree in Leadership Management.
SgtMaj Black’s personal decorations include: the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2 gold stars in lieu of 3rd award and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
He is currently married to Lisa, to which is also an active Marine Gunnery Sergeant and they have two children together, Aiden and Chloe.