Curtis E. Warren Sr. enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 1989 and completed recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina March 1990. After completing Marine Combat Training (MCT), he attended the School of Infantry (SOI) at Camp Geiger, North Carolina as an Infantry Mortarman, MOS 0341. Graduating top of his class earned him a meritorious promotion to the rank of Lance Corporal. In June 1990, Lance Corporal Warren reported to 1st Battalion 8th Marines, where he served as gunner for his mortar section. In December 1990 he deployed to Saudi Arabia where he conducted combat operations in Operation Desert Storm Desert Shield and returned April 1991. In October that same year, he deployed to Southwest Asia with 1st Battalion 8th Marines as a meritorious Corporal returning in February 1992.
In March 1992 he transferred to 1st Battalion 2nd Marines where he served as a Fire Direction Center Chief in Weapons Company. In March 1993 he deployed to Operation Restore Hope, Somalia as part of the Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operation Capable (MEUSOC) and returned July 1993. After reenlisting in December 1993, promoted to the rank of Sergeant in February 1994 he transferred to Parris Island, South Carolina for duty as a Basic Warrior Training Instructor (BWT). He attended schools such as Small Arms Weapons Instructor (SAWIC) in 1995 and Recruiting in February 1996.
After successfully completing Recruiting School in San Diego California, he was assigned to Recruiting Station (RS), Richmond in Virginia, and worked out of Recruiting Substation (RSS) Virginia Beach, Virginia. From June 1996 to September 1997 he was named Richmond’s Recruiter of the Year and promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant, meritoriously in January 1998. His achievements while on recruiting duty also included receiving a Centurion Award for enlisting over 100 net contracts from May 1996 thru July 1999.
In December 1999, he was transferred to Headquarters Battalion, Small Craft Company, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He held numerous billets from Platoon Sergeant, Detachment Commander and Company Gunnery Sergeant for Small Craft Company. In February 2003, he deployed with 1st Battalion 8th Marines to Iraq as a resident expert to Boat Company (Bravo Co 1/8). After completing two successful deployments with 1st Battalion 8th Marines as a Small Craft Company Detachment SNCOIC, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in 2002. Gunnery Sergeant Warren transferred in August 2004 and reported to EWTGLANT, Little Creek, Virginia where he served as an Antiterrorism Instructor. He was also instrumental in the development in the Navy’s Riverine Program, writing course materials and teaching Crew Serve Weapons to Sailors.
December 2005, he was selected to the rank of First Sergeant and promoted to the rank in September 2006. From June 2006 to February 2009 he, served as Company First Sergeant, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, completing two combat deployments with the Battalion, one of which being a 7 month tour to the Anah district, in Iraq. He transferred in February 2009 to Marine Corps Security Forces Regiment, Norfolk, Virginia where he served as the Headquarters Company First Sergeant. Sergeant Major Warren was selected to his present grade in November 2009 and reassigned as the Battalion Sergeant Major of 5th Battalion, 10th Marines in May 2010. In August 2012, Sergeant Major Warren received orders to Marine Aviation Training Support Group Thirty Three, where he assumed the duties as the Group Sergeant Major of MATSG 33. In June 2015, he is to assume the duties as the Sergeant Major of EWTGLANT, Little Creek, Virginia.
Sergeant Major Warren’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in Lieu of 4th Award, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star in Lieu of 2nd Award, Humanitarian Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, South West Asia Service Medal with (2) Bronze Stars, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with (1) Silver Star and (3) Bronze Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with (1) Bronze Star, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with (1) Silver Star, National Defense Service Medal with (1) Bronze Star, United Nations Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) and Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon.