Sergeant Major John L. Beckett Jr.
Sergeant Major Beckett enlisted in October 1998 and graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, California in January 1999. After graduating from Marine Combat Training in February 1999, he reported to Naval Air Technical Training Center, Pensacola, Florida to attend Aviation Ordnance Fundamental School. Upon graduation, he transferred to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina for Aviation Armament Repair Technician School where he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in July of 1999 and given orders to his first duty assignment of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 12, Iwakuni, Japan.
In August of 1999, he reported to MALS-12, Iwakuni, Japan where he was assigned to the Aircraft Armament Equipment Repair Shop. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal in January of 2000. In September 2000, he reported to MALS-31, MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina. During this tour he attained his Certification/Qualification as a Team Leader then later a Quality Assurance/Safety Observer (QASO) and Collateral Duty Inspector. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in October 2001.
In October 2002, he reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina for Drill Instructor School. Upon graduation in January 2003 he attended the Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival School graduating first in his class and earning him the secondary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 0918. He was then assigned to First Recruit Training Battalion, Charlie Company where he served as a Drill Instructor/Senior Drill Instructor developing 462 basically trained Marines. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in January 2006.
In April 2006, he reported to MALS-12, Iwakuni, Japan. During his tour he was nominated for the MCAA Ordnance Marine of the Year as well as the John W. Finn Award. In May of 2009, he reported to MALS-13, MCAS Yuma where he was assigned as the Ordnance SNCOIC. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in November 2009. In August 2010 he deployed with MALS-16 in support of OEF 10.2 where he served as the Ordnance Chief/SNCOIC.
In May 2012, he reported as an Assistant Marine Officer Instructor at the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, RI. There he was named Senior Enlisted Leader of the Quarter and also of the year. He was promoted to First Sergeant in September 2013. In October 2013, he reported to 3d Battalion, 6th Marines, and was assigned as the company first sergeant of Company K. In December of 2014 he deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. In November 2015, he reported to School of Infantry-East, and was assigned to Advanced Infantry Training Battalion (AITB) as the Company First Sergeant.
In March of 2016 he was assigned to Infantry Training Battalion as the Company First Sergeant of Company B. In January of 2017 he returned to AITB as the Company First Sergeant and in July of 2017 assumed the role as Battalion Sergeant Major. He was promoted his current rank in April 2018 and assumed his duties as the Sergeant Major of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211.
In July 2018, Sergeant Major Beckett deployed on the 13th MEU with VMFA-211 on the first F-35B combat deployment. In April 2021, he deployed aboard the United Kingdom ship, Her Majesties Ship Queen Elizabeth on a multinational deployment as part of Carrier Strike Group 21. Sergeant Major Beckett's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd award), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd award).