Bios
1st Sergeant Carl L. Curtis — JROTC Instructor
United States Marine Corps (ret)
First Sergeant Curtis was born on 4 Sept 1966, in Rochester, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 5 October 1983 and reported for recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina on 4 Aug 1984. Upon completion of recruit training, PFC Curtis, reported to Marine Corps Engineer School, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for training as a Hygiene Equipment Operator.
During March 1984, he was transferred and assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for duty as a hygiene equipment operator and was promoted to Lance Corporal in April. During this tour he participated in numerous field-training exercises, he deployed to Puerto Rico and Eglin Air Force Base as a member of the Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) and participated in Operation "Bright Star" in Egypt.
In April 1987, he was transferred to Okinawa, Japan where he was assigned as a hygiene equipment operator, 9th Engineer Support Battalion. During this assignment, he participated in Operations "Team Spirit" and "Bear Hunt" in Duncheon and Pohang, Korea and was promoted to the rank of Corporal in April 1988.
Upon completion of his tour in Okinawa, he received orders and reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. During this assignment, he participated in numerous operations, deployed to Puerto Rico in support of humanitarian operations (Hurricane Hugo) and he received in-depth training in Rear Area Security. From August 1990-April 1991, he was assigned to the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade and deployed to Southwest Asia in support of combat Operations "Desert Shield" and "Desert Storm." During this deployment, he received a "combat promotion" and was "Meritoriously" promoted to the rank of Sergeant by the Commandant of the Marine Corps (General Alfred M. Gray).
In September 1991, he received orders and reported to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion of school, he was assigned to Company I, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion for duty as a drill instructor and was Meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant in January 1994.
During July 1994, SSgt Curtis returned to Marine Corps Engineer School where he served as an instructor until July of 1987. In September 1994, he attended the Staff Noncommissioned Officer's Academy (Career Leadership Course) and was selected as the "Honor Graduate." Upon completion of his tour, he was transferred to Iwakuni, Japan and was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 as the Platoon Commander and Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC) of the Utilities Platoon.
Upon completion of this tour, he was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina where he was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 as the Platoon Commander and SNCOIC of the Utilities Platoon and was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in September 1998. During this assignment, he participated in several operations and deployed to Taszar, Hungary in support of combat operations in Kosovo, Joint Task Force drug operations in Van Horne, Texas, NATO operations in Oreland, Norway and was selected as the Marine of the Year in June of 2000. In April 2001, he was reassigned to the Corporal's Leadership Course where he served as the Director of the school until May 2002 when he was promoted to First Sergeant.
In June 2002, he received orders and returned to MCRD Parris Island where he was assigned as the Company First Sergeant (Senior Enlisted Advisor) of Company E, Second Recruit Training Battalion. First Sergeant Curtis retired from Active-Duty on 6 July 2004 and began working for the Ambridge Area School District as a Marine Instructor for the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program on 26 August 2004.
In May 2005, First Sergeant Curtis began volunteering his time with the Allegheny County Camp Cadet program and became a member of the Board of Directors in August of 2005. His responsibilities with the program are to assist with the planning, organization and training of the Cadets during camp and to serve as a mentor and positive role model for the young men and women who attend. He is also a Lifetime Member and Sgt of Arms for the Ohio Valley Marines detachment #882 (Marine Corps League), Master of Arms for the Veterans of Modern Warfare (VMW), Service Officer and active member of the American Legion Post #341.
His personal awards include; the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2nd Gold Stars (in lieu of 2nd and 3rd), Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 Gold Stars, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with 1 Gold Star, Humanitarian Service Medal and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.