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MCAS Camp Pendleton
Leaders
MCAS Camp Pendleton Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major Curtis A. Rice

Sergeant Major Rice is a native of Worcester, Massachusetts. He reported to MCRD Parris Island, 3rd Battalion, Mike Company, Platoon 3070, for recruit training on 5 January 1995. Private Rice graduated from recruit training on 24 March 1995.  Upon graduation of recruit training, Private Rice reported to Camp Lejeune North Carolina for Marine Combat Training. In April of 1995, Private Rice reported to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Aberdeen Maryland for Machinist School. There he learned his former military occupational skill of a machinist, 2161.

In September of 1995, Private First Class Rice reported to General Support Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton, California where he served as a machinist. In December of 1995 he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. In April of 1998, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and served as the Machine Shop Noncommissioned Officer In Charge. In August of 1999, he was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant and served as the Machine Shop Staff Noncommissioned Officer In Charge.

In October of 1999, Sergeant Rice reported to Recruiting School, MCRD, San Diego, CA. Upon graduation, he received orders to Recruiting Station Buffalo, NY, Recruiting Sub-Station Jamestown where he served as a canvassing recruiter and assistant staff noncommissioned officer in charge. In November, of 2001, Sergeant Rice received orders to Officer Selection Station, Buffalo where he assisted in the processing and training of qualified candidates for Officer Candidate School. In March of 2002, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In December of 2002, Staff Sergeant Rice successfully completed his tour on recruiting duty and received orders to Ordnance Maintenance Company (OMC), 3rd Materiel Readiness Battalion (MRB), 3rd FSSG, Okinawa, Japan. While stationed at OMC, he served as the artillery repair platoon SNCOIC and the Company Gunnery Sergeant. He also has successfully completed the Career Course where he was nominated as the “Gung-Ho” recipient. Gunnery Sergeant Rice’s also completed the Marine Combat Instructor for Water Survival Course, Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Course and Helicopter Rope Suspension Trainer (HRST) Course during his tour with OMC.

In June of 2005, Staff Sergeant Rice served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant, for Headquarters Company, Cobra Gold.

In February of 2006, Staff Sergeant Rice attended Advanced Course 3-06, Okinawa, Japan. He was the honor graduate and was the nominee as the “Gung Ho” recipient for his class. 

In April of 2006, Staff Sergeant Rice was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and was transferred to instruct at the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Okinawa, Japan. He served as the Chief Instructor for the Sergeants Course and also served as the Chief Instructor for the Advanced Course. During his time at the SNCOA, Gunnery Sergeant Rice was the recipient of Instructor of the Quarter for the Sergeants Course as well as the Advanced Course. He was also nominated as the Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME) Instructor of the Year for 2007 and was the recipient of the Dr. Elihu Rose Award for Teaching Excellence.

In July of 2008, Gunnery Sergeant Rice reported to the Regional Corps Advisory Command – Central to serve as the Assistant Operations Chief in support of OEF. In May of 2009, he was transferred to Embedded Training Team (ETT) 1-11, in the Uzbin Valley, Eastern Afghanistan where he served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the team. In September of 2009, Gunnery Sergeant Rice was transferred back to SNCOA to finish his tour as a Faculty Advisor for the Advance Course.

In February of 2010, Gunnery Sergeant Rice was frocked to First Sergeant and was transferred to Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group. He served as the First Sergeant for Food and Service Company.

In December of 2011, First Sergeant Rice was transferred to Combat Logistics Battalion 13 to serve as the Sergeant Major.  On 12 February 2013, First Sergeant Rice was then transferred to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, to serve and the Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant. He then deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS New Orleans as the Senior Enlisted Advisor.

On 27 June 2014, First Sergeant Rice was frocked to Sergeant Major and was transferred to Recruiting Station New York to serve as the unit Sergeant Major.

On 8 July 2017, Sergeant Major Rice was appointed as the Sergeant Major for First Reconnaissance Battalion.

On 26 June 2019, Sergeant Major Rice was appointed as the Sergeant Major for 11th Marine Regiment.

On 30 July 2021, Sergeant Major Rice was transferred to current position as the MCAS Camp Pendleton Sergeant Major.  

Sergeant Major Rice’s decorations include the Bronze Star with gold star in lieu of second award with valor, Meritorious Service Medal gold star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal gold star in lieu of second award, Combat Action Ribbon and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He has also earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management

Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton