Sergeant Major Robert E. Catching enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January 2002 and reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA. Upon completing recruit training, Sergeant Major Catching reported to Marine Corps Combat Training (MCT) in Camp Pendleton, CA in April 2002 and to Personnel Administrative (PA) School Camp Johnson, NC. Private First Class Catching reported to Headquarters Support Battalion S-1, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, NC (2002) for duty as the Service Records Book clerk.

After completing a successful tour of duty in North Carolina, Cpl Catching applied for the Marine Security Guard program. His first post as a watch stander was in American Consulate Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ((Dec 2006) also promoted to Sergeant); then as the Assistant Detachment Commander in American Embassy Kuwait City, Kuwait (2007); American Embassy Warsaw, Poland (2008); and finally American Embassy Lisbon, Portugal (2009). Sergeant Catching was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant as Marine Security Guard of the Year in 2009.

Concluding four years of duty on the MSG Program, SSgt Catching reported to Headquarters Marine Corps for duty in the Counsel for the Commandant’s Office in January 2010. Once completing his tour with HQMC, SSgt Catching spent 7 months on I&I duty in Allentown, PA. SSgt Catching reported back to the Pentagon in 2013 to work on the Chairman’s Joint Chief of Staff, J-3, Operations Directorate. SSgt Catching was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in November 2014. Subsequently, GySgt Catching was selected to attend Basic Recruiters Course in July 2016. GySgt Catching was assigned to the 9th Marine Corps District, Recruiting Sub Station South Chicago, prior to graduation. Gunnery Sergeant Catching served as a canvassing recruiter in RSS South Chicago, RSS Chicago Heights and as the Officer Selection Assistant for Chicago. GySgt Catching was frocked to First Sergeant in May 2018. Previous tours as Company First Sergeant include Marine Corps Security Force Company Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (June 2018- July 2020) and H&S Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment (July 2020-Feb 2023)

Sergeant Major Catching’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of 2nd award, Marine Security Guard Ribbon.

Sergeant Major Catching has one child: Cayden, nine years old.