Sergeant Major Tracy serves as the Marine Aircraft Group 16 Sergeant Major, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Miramar.
Sergeant Major Patrick M. Tracy was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Marine Corps’ delayed entry program in May 1986, and attended Recruit Training in October 1986 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. Upon graduation, he attended Infantry Training School at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and was selected to attend Sea School at MCRD San Diego for training as a Sea Duty Marine.
PFC Tracy was assigned to the USS Simon Lake, Holy Loch Scotland from July 1986 to November 1988 and was promoted to Lance Corporal and subsequently assigned to HQMC, Henderson Hall, Arlington Virginia as a Security Guard from November 1988 to December 1989 and was promoted to Corporal during this time.
Corporal Tracy received orders to report to 3d Battalion 2d Marines in January of 1990 where he served as a Squad Leader, Platoon Guide and Platoon Sergeant and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in December of 1992. Sergeant Tracy remained with 3d Battalion 2d Marines serving as a Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant until 1994.
Sergeant Tracy attended Drill Instructor School at MCRD Parris Island, in April 1994. Upon graduating in June 1994 he was assigned to India Company, 3d Recruit Training Battalion. During his tour, Sergeant Tracy served as a Drill Instructor, PCP/MRP Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor.
Sergeant Tracy reported to 2d Battalion 3d Marine Regiment in August 1996. While with 2/3, he served as a Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Commander and Company Gunnery Sergeant. Sergeant Tracy was promoted to Staff Sergeant on 1 December 1997 and remained in 2d Battalion 3d Marines until May 2000.
Staff Sergeant Tracy was selected to serve as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor at the University of Colorado and reported for duty in June of 2000. While serving as the AMOI at the University of Colorado, Staff Sergeant Tracy was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in August 2002. During this three year tour, Gunnery Sergeant Tracy served as an OCS Instructor at Quantico, Virginia for two separate tours.
Gunnery Sergeant Tracy requested orders to 5th Marines in the summer of 2003 and was assigned as the Company Gunnery Sergeant for Fox Company, 2d Battalion 5th Marines, in August 2003. Upon returning from Iraq in March of 2005, Gunnery Sergeant Tracy was reassigned as the acting Company First Sergeant and remained in that billet until frocked to First Sergeant in January 2005. First Sergeant Tracy served as the First Sergeant until returning from the 31st MEU in July 2006.
First Sergeant Tracy received orders to the School of Infantry (West) as First Sergeant for Fox Company, Marine Combat Training Battalion in July of 2006. In December of 2007 First Sergeant Tracy was reassigned as the Company First Sergeant for Infantry Unit Leaders Training Company, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry (West).
First Sergeant Tracy was reassigned as the Company First Sergeant for H&S Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division until being promoted to his present rank of Sergeant Major in June of 2010.
In June of 2010 Sergeant Major Tracy reported for duty as the Battalion Sergeant Major for 1st Battalion, 9th Marines and deployed to Afghanistan in May 2011. In May of 2013, Sergeant Major Tracy was transferred to Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron 161. Sergeant Major Tracy was reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16 where he currently serves as the Group Sergeant Major.
His personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, Navy Commendation Medal with “V” and two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, the Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, as well as numerous unit and service awards.
Sergeant Major Tracy has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Masters Degree in Creative Writing from National University.