Biography

Sergeant Major, MCCES
Sergeant Major Shonor D. Burton

Sergeant Major Burton, a native of Columbia, Mississippi, enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1999 and completed recruit training at MCRD San Diego in September 1999. Following recruit training, Private First Class Burton attended Marine Corps Combat Training at SOI West, Camp Pendleton, CA, and MOS school at Fort Leonard Wood, MI. Upon completing all schools, he was assigned MOS 3533 Logistics Vehicle Systems Operator.

Private First Class Burton reported to his first command, 8th Motors MCB Camp Lejeune, NC, in January 2000 and performed duties as a Motor Transport Operator. While attached to 8th Motors, he was selected to go TAD to the MSSG-26, where he did two deployments as a Motor Transport Operator in support of Enduring Freedom.

Sergeant Burton was transferred to MWSS-371 Yuma, AZ, in January 2003 for duty as a Motor Transport Operator and Section Leader. While at MWSS-371, he also served as the Road Master and Licenses NCO. While attached to MWSS-371, Sergeant Burton deployed to Iraq twice to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Also, while attached to MWSS-371, he attended the SNCO Academy Sergeant’s Course at MCAGCC Twenty-nine Palms.

 Sergeant Burton was then transferred to Marine Corps Recruiter School Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego for duty as a Basic Recruiter. After graduating from Marine Corps Recruiter School in May 2006, Sergeant Burton was assigned to the 12 Marine Corps Recruiting District as an Enhanced Area Canvassing Recruiter. On October 1, 2006, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.

Staff Sergeant Burton was then transferred to 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion Camp Pendleton, CA, in May 2009, where he served as the Motor Transport Chief. In September 2010, Staff Sergeant deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with Regimental Combat Team One as the United Movement Control Center Chief. In October 2011, Staff Sergeant Burton attended SNCO Academy Advance Course at Camp Pendleton, CA. On November 1, 2011, Staff Sergeant Burton was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.

Gunnery Sergeant Burton was then transferred to Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, in July 2011, where he served as H&S Company First Sergeant.

Gunnery Sergeant Burton was then transferred to Combat Logistics Battalion Four Camp Smedley D. Butler Okinawa, Japan, in July 2012, where he served as the Maintenance Services Company, Company Gunnery Sergeant. In July 2014, he was assigned to the battalion S3 as the Current Operations Chief. In May 2015, Gunnery Sergeant Burton was frocked to First Sergeant.

First Sergeant then transferred to First Combat Engineer Battalion MCB Camp Pendleton, CA, in May 2015, where he served as Company B and Mobility Assault Company 1stSgt.

First Sergeant Burton then transferred to 12th Marine Regiment Headquarters Battery, Okinawa, Japan, where he served as the Battery First Sergeant until he was frocked to his current rank of Sergeant Major on May 31, 2019.

Sergeant Major Burton transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron-172, where he served as the Squadron’s Sergeant Major until February 26, 2021.

Sergeant Major Burton transferred to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (VMM-262), where he served as the Squadron’s Sergeant Major until February 3, 2023. 

Sergeant Major Burton transferred to Marine Corps Communications and Electronic School (MCCES), where he serves as the Group Sergeant Major.

Sergeant Major Burton’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of third award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Gold Star in lieu of third award, and a Combat Action Ribbon.