Curtis E. Warren Sr. enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 1989 and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina March 1990. After completing boot camp, he attended the School Of Infantry at Camp Geiger, North Carolina for training as an Infantry Mortarman. 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 Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, returning April 1991. In October of that same year, he deployed to Southwest Asia with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines as a meritorious Corporal.
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). After being 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 through 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 including: 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 Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Atlantic (EWTGLANT), Little Creek, Virginia where he served as an Antiterrorism Instructor. He was instrumental in the development of the Navy’s Riverine Program by writing course materials and teaching Crew Serve Weapons to Sailors.
December 2005, he was selected to the rank of First Sergeant. From June 2006 to February 2009 he served as Company First Sergeant, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines. He completed two deployments with the Battalion, one 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.
In November 2009, he was selected to his current rank of Sergeant Major and reassigned as the Battalion Sergeant Major of 5th Battalion, 10th Marines in May 2010.
On August 10, 2012, Sergeant Major Warren was posted as the Group Sergeant Major for the Marine Aviation Training Support Group-33 aboard NAS Oceana Master Jet Base.
His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon (2), Humanitarian Service Medal (2), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation (4), 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 (7), Iraq Campaign Medal (2), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (6), National Defense Service Medal (2), United Nations Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) (2), Southeast Asia Service Medal (3), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, and Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon.