Sergeant Major Whitcomb began Marine Corps Recruit Training on 14 September 1993 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California with Company C, 1st Recruit Training Battalion. He was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class and graduated Recruit Training on 10 December 1993. Following graduation from Recruit Training, Private First Class Whitcomb attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Upon completion of Marine Combat Training, Private First Class Whitcomb attended the Personnel Administrative Clerk Course at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in February 1994. In May 1994, Private First Class Whitcomb reported to 3d Combat Engineer Battalion, 3d Marine Division Okinawa, Japan to perform duties as a Battalion Personnel Clerk. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on 1 June 1994. In May 1995, Lance Corporal Whitcomb reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, California to perform duties as a Squadron Personnel Clerk. On 1 April 1996, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. On 1 January 1998, he was selected as Marine Wing Support Squadron 374’s “Noncommissioned Officer of the Year” for calendar year 1997. On 1 February 1998, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assumed the billet of the Administrative Chief for the Squadron. In June 1998, Sergeant Whitcomb reported to Inspector-Instructor Staff, Omaha, Nebraska to perform duties as a Personnel Clerk. In February 2001, Sergeant Whitcomb graduated Sergeants Course, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia as the “Gung Ho” recipient. In April 2001, Sergeant Whitcomb was selected as Marine of the Year, for the Nebraska Navy League. In July 2001, Sergeant Whitcomb reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California to attend Drill Instructor School, Class 4-01. Upon completion of Drill Instructor School, Sergeant Whitcomb was recognized as a distinguished graduate. On 27 October 2001, Sergeant Whitcomb reported to Company K, 3d Recruit Training Battalion to serve as a Drill Instructor. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant on 1 November 2001. During his tour he held the billets of Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Series Gunnery Sergeant and Instructor Drill Instructor School. On 2 October 2003, he was promoted meritoriously to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant, for being selected as the United States Marine Corps Drill Instructor of the Year 2003.
On 1 May 2005, Gunnery Sergeant Whitcomb reported to Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, California to perform duties as an Administrative Chief at the Marine Aircraft Group 39, Consolidated Personnel Administration Center. In June 2005, Gunnery Sergeant Whitcomb was reassigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, California to perform duties as the Squadron Administrative Chief. During this tour, Gunnery Sergeant Whitcomb deployed with the Squadron in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom IV 05.07. On 23 February 2007, First Sergeant Whitcomb reported to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California for duty as Company First Sergeant, Company A. During this tour, First Sergeant Whitcomb deployed with the Battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom V 06.07; and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (WESTPAC), Battalion Landing Team 1/1. On 21 September 2009, First Sergeant Whitcomb reported to Inspector-Instructor Staff, 3d Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Marine Forces Reserve, Bell, California for duty as Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant. In November 2011, Sergeant Major Whitcomb was selected to his present rank. From 15 May 2012 to 16 June 2014, Sergeant Major Whitcomb served as Battalion Sergeant Major, 2d Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. From 17 June 2014 to 1 June 2015, Sergeant Major Whitcomb served as Battalion Sergeant Major, 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California. From 2 June 2015 to 17 July 2016, Sergeant Major Whitcomb served as Sergeant Major, Marine Corps Training Mission, United Arab Emirates. From 18 July 2016 to 25 May 2018, Sergeant Major Whitcomb served as Sergeant Major 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California. During this tour, Sergeant Major Whitcomb deployed in support of the Command Element, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force, Crisis-Response, Central Command 17.2. From 28 June 2018 to 7 May 2021, Sergeant Major Whitcomb served as 1st Marine Division Sergeant Major, Camp Pendleton, California. On 7 May 2021, Sergeant Major Whitcomb assumed the post as the I Marine Expeditionary Force Sergeant Major.
He possesses a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from National University, a graduate of Keystone Class 18-2, resident Senior Enlisted Professional Military Education Course 2-10, Quantico, Virginia, and distinguished graduate of the resident Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 157, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. He completed Army Basic Airborne Course, United States Army Infantry Center, Fort Benning, Georgia. Sergeant Major Whitcomb’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (gold star in lieu of fourth award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Mendel (gold star in lieu of third award).