Biography

  Sergeant Major Pruitt is a native of Laurel, Mississippi, and he enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 1988. He Reported To Parris Island, SC in July 1989 for training with First Recruit Training Battalion. He reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, NC for Marine Combat Training in November 1989.  Upon completion he reported to the Ordinance Center and School, Aberdeen Maryland for training as a Light Armored Vehicle Repairman.

  In March 1990 Private First Class Pruitt reported to 2d Light Armored Infantry Battalion, 2d Marine Division where he served as a Light Armored Vehicle Repairman and was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal in May 1990. In December of 1990 he deployed with Alpha Company, 2d Light Armored Infantry for combat operations in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  In March 1992, he was promoted to Corporal.

  Corporal Pruitt was reassigned in April of 1992 to General Support Maintenance Company, 3d Maintenance Battalion, 3d Force Service Support Group, Okinawa Japan. In June of 1993 he was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to for duty with Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group 31 where he participated in two deployments.  

  Sergeant Pruitt volunteered for orders to Drill Instructor duty and reported to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC in September 1995. Upon graduation he was assigned to Alpha Company, First Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, where he served as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor.

  In February of 1998 he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and reported for duty on the Inspector Instructor Staff, Bravo Company, 4^th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Ft Dertrick, Maryland, where he served as the Maintenance Chief.  

  In May 2001 Staff Sergeant Pruitt reported to Headquarters and Service Company, 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division where he served as the Battalion Engine Chief. In November 2001 he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and assumed the duties as the Maintenance Chief for Weapons Company. While assigned to Weapons Company, he deployed to Norway for Participation in Battle Griffin in January 2002. In December 2002 Gunnery Sergeant Pruitt transferred to Bravo Company and deployed for combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In February of 2004 He deployed to Haiti in support of Operation Secure Tomorrow. Upon his return to CONUS he assumed the duties as the Battalion Quality Control Chief and Assistance Maintenance Chief.

  Upon selection to First Sergeant, he was ordered to Parris Island where he was promoted in October 2005 and served as a Company First Sergeant for Kilo Company, Third Battalion, Special Training Company, Support Battalion and Golf Company, Second Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment.

  In June 2008 First Sergeant Pruitt reported to 1^ST Marine Logistics Group where he deployed with Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, to Ramadi Iraq in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

  In March 2009 he transferred to 7^th Engineer Support Battalion, 1^st Marine Logistics Group where he has served as First Sergeant for Bravo, Headquarters and Service Company. In November 2009 he deployed to the Helmond Provence, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the First Sergeant for Engineer Support Company 7^th Engineer Support Battalion 1^st Marine Logistics Group.  

  In November 2010 Sergeant Major Pruitt reported to the Marine Aviation Group 16 3^rd Marine Aviation Wing and  assumed the duties as the Sergeant Major for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 561.

  In May 2012 Sergeant Major Pruitt assumed the duties as the Sergeant Major for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166. In August of 2013 Sergeant Major Pruitt deployed to WestPac 13-2 with 13^th Marine Expeditionary Unit as the Aviation Combat Element Sergeant Major.

  Sergeant Major Pruitt’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Silver Star in lieu of sixth award, and the Combat Action Ribbon with 2 gold stars.