Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps explained

Post:Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps
Incumbent:Stephen A. Sexton
Incumbentsince:2024
Style:Color Sergeant/Rank
Member Of:United States Marine Corps Color Guard Platoon
Termlength:Two years
Formation:1965
First:Shelton L. Eakin

The Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps is a billet in the United States Marine Corps held by a non-commissioned officer posted at Marine Barracks Washington. He is responsible for carrying the official Colors of The United States Marine Corps while leading "The Commandant's Four", members of which are part of the United States Marine Corps Color Guard Platoon.

History

The post of Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps was created in 1965 and first held by Shelton L. Eakin, who was killed in action the following year during the Vietnam War.[1]

Duties

The Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps is considered the senior-most sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps and serves as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of "Parade Four", the U.S. Marine Corps' principal color guard.[1] During state events, he is responsible for carrying the flag of the president of the United States.[1] The Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps is also expected to serve as an example of correct appearance to all Marines.[2]

Qualifications

The Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps is appointed by the commanding officer of Marine Barracks Washington and applicants from throughout the Marine Corps are considered.[3] [4] He must be a sergeant between 6-foot 2-inches and 6-foot 6-inches in height, meet Marine Corps weight standards, and be eligible for clearance to the Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information level.[3] The appointment to Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps is for a two-year, non-renewable term.[3]

List of Color Sergeants

!No.!Image!Name!Term start!Term end
1stShelton L. EakinJanuary 1965December 1965
35thTimothy A. Spreder[5] November 2011September 2013
36thAllen J. Banks Jr.[6] October 2013December 2015
37thKenneth Newton[7] January 2016December 2017
38thFrancis S. FrazierJanuary 2018December 2019
39thFranklin D. TaftJanuary 2020May 2021
40thCameron L. Williams[8] May 2021June 2023
41stStephen A. SextonJuly 2023Present

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: United States Marine Corps Color Guard . marines.mil . . September 1, 2019.
  2. News: Peck . Tony . Colorado Springs native completes tour as Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps . September 1, 2019 . . April 5, 2018.
  3. News: Schehl . Matthew . Next color sergeant of the Marine Corps billet opened . September 1, 2019 . Marine Corps Times . August 26, 2015.
  4. Book: Oliver . Keith . Command Attention: Promoting Your Organization the Marine Corps Way . 2014 . Naval Institute Press . 978-1612519005 . 41.
  5. Web site: Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps to play integral role in 57th Presidential Inauguration . 2024-03-19 . Marine Barracks . en-US.
  6. Web site: Next color sergeant of the Marine Corps billet opened . 26 August 2015 .
  7. Web site: Peck . Tony . Colorado Springs native completes tour as Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps . 2023-02-16 . Colorado Springs Gazette . en.
  8. Web site: Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps . 2023-02-16 . DVIDS . en.