Sergeant Major Scott A. Burton enlisted in the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program on June 23, 1986. He entered Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina on September 3, 1986 and upon graduation Sergeant Major Burton was transferred to Ft. Sill Oklahoma for Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) training as a Field Artillery Cannoneer (0811). Upon completion of school in March 1987, he was assigned to Battery M 4th Battalion, 14th Marines, 4th Marine Division filling various billets with the M109 155 Self-Propelled Howitzer.
In August 1989 Sergeant Major Burton was assigned to NAS Meridian MS for Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) training as Aviation Maintenance Administration Clerk (6046). Upon graduation, he received orders to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Training Squadron 253, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Cherry Point, NC serving as an Aviation Maintenance Administration Clerk. In October 1991 Sergeant Burton left active duty to pursue interest in the civilian sector.
In February 1993 Sergeant Major Burton was assigned to Recruiting Station Richmond, Recruiting Sub-Station Newport News VA as an Extended Active Duty (EAD) Canvassing Recruiter. Upon augmentation to Active Duty he was assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, MCAS Cherry Point NC as the Aviation Maintenance Administration Chief. In March 1995 he was transferred to Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4, again serving as the Aviation Maintenance Administration Chief. He deployed as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) to Iwakuni, Japan and the unit deployment to Aviano, Italy in support of Operation Decisive Endeavor.
In May 1997 Sergeant Major Burton received orders to report to MCRD San Diego for Recruiter School. Upon graduation, he was assigned to Recruiting Station Atlanta, Recruiting Sub Station Chattanooga. He received the “Rookie Recruiter of the Year Award” for sustained performance. During this recruiting tour he served as a canvassing recruiter, ANCOIC, and NCOIC.
Upon completion of Recruiting Duty in August 2000 Sergeant Major Burton was transferred to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 MCAS New River, NC as the Maintenance Administration Chief. In April 2001 he attended the Equal Opportunity Representative Course and was subsequently assigned the collateral duty of EO Representative for MALS-26.
In March 2002 Sergeant Major Burton was transferred to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 to serve as the Maintenance Administration Division Chief and Squadron Gunnery Sergeant. While assigned to HMH-461 he served in the following collateral billets at various times Maintenance/Material Control Officer, Senior Watch Officer, Maintenance Training Officer, and Substance Abuse Contact Officer. Sergeant Major Burton deployed with the unit in 2003 to the Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In June 2005 Sergeant Major Burton was transferred to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 MCB Hawaii to serve as the Maintenance Administration Division Chief and Squadron Gunnery Sergeant. The unit deployed to Al Asad, Iraq in support Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07 and 06-08.
Upon selection to First Sergeant, he reported to Marine Combat Training Battalion, School of Infantry (West) Camp Pendleton CA from June 2008 until his transfer in March 2011. He served as the Company First Sergeant for Hotel Company, Headquarters and Instructor Company, and Battalion Sergeant Major. On March 30, 2011 Sergeant Major Burton received orders to 1st Battalion 11th Marines where he served as the Battery First Sergeant for India Battery and Headquarters Battery.
On May 30, 2013 he was frocked to his present rank and assumed the duties of Battalion Sergeant Major 1st Battalion, 12th Marines on June 27, 2013. SgtMaj Burton was selected to attend the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College AY 2015-2016. Upon graduation he reported to 4th Marine Regiment Okinawa to assume the duties of Regimental and Camp Schwab Sergeant Major. On February 15, 2018 he assumed the duties of Sergeant Major at The Basic School.
Sergeant Major Sergeant Burton graduated from Columbia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Summa Cum Laude). He holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Walden University and is currently a doctoral candidate in the School of Public Policy and Administration at Walden University.
His Professional Military Education includes attending the SNCO Advance Course, 1stSgt’s Course, 1stSgt/MSgt Seminar, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, Equal Opportunity Representative Course, Substance Abuse Contact Officers Course, the Senior Enlisted Legal Course, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Course (ASSIST), and Sergeant’s Major Course. He is a distinguished graduate of the United States Navy Senior Enlisted Academy receiving the Peter A. Tomich Distinguished Honor Graduate Award, the John A. Powers Excellence in Communications Award, and Class 138 Honor Graduate Award.
Sergeant Major Burton’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/gold star in lieu of third award. Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/gold star in lieu of second award, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal w/1 sliver and 1 bronze star, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon w/ bronze star in lieu of second award.