A native of Detroit, MI, SgtMaj Calbough enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 1990 out of Louisville, KY, and attended recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Parris Island, S.C. Upon completion of Marine Combat Training and his initial training as a Technical Draftsman and Construction Surveyor (Engineer Assistant), he was assigned to 7th Communications Battalion in 1992. In 1993, SgtMaj Calbough executed orders to Aviation Ground Support Element (AGSE) in Twentynine Palms, CA.
SgtMaj Calbough’s other early career assignments include 8th Engineer Support Battalion, where he deployed for six months to Haiti as part of U. S. Support Group Haiti, and for Drill Instructor duty at MCRD Parris Island, SC, where he served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Series Gunnery Sergeant, and Company First Sergeant with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion. It was during this assignment that Sergeant Major Calbough was selected as the Drill Instructor of the Year for 2000 and meritoriously promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Following this assignment, Sergeant Major Calbough executed orders to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion where he held numerous billets, to include Company Gunnery Sergeant for Company C, deploying in February, 2003 to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
His senior enlisted leadership assignments include: First Sergeant billets for Company A, Engineer Support Company, and Company C, at 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, deploying a second time to Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2005-2006, and as the First Sergeant for Company F, Marine Combat Training Battalion, School of Infantry East. Sergeant Major for Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 and 9th Engineer Support Battalion, where he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010. He was the Director of the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy in Okinawa Japan, Sergeant Major for U. S. Marine Corps Forces, South, U. S. Southern Command and Sergeant Major, 3D Marine Logistics Group.
Sergeant Major Calbough assumed his current post as the Sergeant Major for Marine Aviation Training Support Group 23 on 6 August 2019.
Sergeant Major Calbough has completed the following Professional Military Education courses: Corporal’s Leadership Course, Sergeant’s Course, SNCO Advanced Course, First Sergeant’s Course, Expeditionary Warfare School, Senior Enlisted Professional Military Education Course, the Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, the Keystone Fellows Course (National Defense University), and the Asia-Pacific Orientation Course (APOC) 18-2. SgtMaj Calbough holds an Associates in Arts in Supervision and Management (w/ Honors) and a Bachelor Degree in Business & Management (Magna Cum Laude) from Excelsior College and is currently completing his Master’s Degree in Management with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from Excelsior College.
SgtMaj Calbough’s significant awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (w/ 1 Gold Star), the Meritorious Service Medal (w/ 2 Gold Stars), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (w/ 2 Gold Stars and Combat Distinguishing Device), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (w/ 2 Gold Stars), the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.