Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps
Incumbent
Steven A. Sexton
since 2023
StyleColor Sergeant/Rank
Member ofUnited States Marine Corps Color Guard Platoon
Term lengthTwo years
Formation1965
First holderShelton 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

Kenneth Newton, 37th Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps, is pictured holding the national ensign of the United States during annual memorial observances at the tomb of John Philip Sousa in 2017

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
1st Shelton L. Eakin 1965
36th Allen J. Banks Jr.[5] 2015 2018
37th Kenneth Newton[6]
38th Francis S. Frazier[citation needed] 2018 2020
39th Franklin D. Taft 2020 2021
40th Cameron L. Williams[7] 2021 2023
41st Steven A. Sexton 2023 Present

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "United States Marine Corps Color Guard". marines.mil. United States Marine Corps. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  2. ^ Peck, Tony (April 5, 2018). "Colorado Springs native completes tour as Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps". The Gazette. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Schehl, Matthew (August 26, 2015). "Next color sergeant of the Marine Corps billet opened". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  4. ^ Oliver, Keith (2014). Command Attention: Promoting Your Organization the Marine Corps Way. Naval Institute Press. p. 41. ISBN 978-1612519005.
  5. ^ "Next color sergeant of the Marine Corps billet opened". 26 August 2015.
  6. ^ Peck, Tony. "Colorado Springs native completes tour as Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  7. ^ "Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps". DVIDS. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
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