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3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

 

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Sergeant Major Rich Buckles Sergeant Major, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369
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Sergeant Major Buckles began his career in June of 1993 by attending recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina.  Upon completion of all training schools, he transferred to MWSS-373 at MCAS El Toro, California as a Logistics Vehicle Systems (LVS) Operator.

In June of 1995, he transferred to 3d Support Battalion, 3d MLG, assumed the same billet, and participated in Theater Security Cooperation Exercises across the Pacific theater.  In June of 1996, Corporal Buckles transferred to MarCorDet, Ft Leonard Wood, MO and served as a Logistics Vehicle Systems instructor.  In November of 1999, Sergeant Buckles transferred back to Japan and was assigned to 3d Transportation Support Battalion, 3d MLG.  In October of 2000, he accepted Drill Instructor duty at MCRD Parris Island, and served as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor with Company M, 3d Recruit Training Battalion.

In March of 2004, Staff Sergeant Buckles was assigned to 1st Transportation Support Battalion at Camp Pendleton, CA and deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He later returned and transferred to Combat Logistics Battalion 11, 11th MEU where he served as the Transportation Support Detachment Chief and Battalion Gunnery Sergeant.  While assigned he participated in two Western Pacific deployments and hurricane relief during Operation Katrina along the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf coast.  In May 2009, 1stSgt Buckles returned to his birthplace and was assigned as the Site-Support First Sergeant for Battery I, 3d Battalion, 14th Marines in Allentown, PA where he assisted the development of Select Marine Corps Reserve Staff Noncommissioned Officers and Officers, and performed our most solemn duty of caring for our fallen brethren and their survivors.  In August 2012, he executed orders back to Okinawa, and was assigned as the Regimental Headquarters Company First Sergeant, Combat Logistics Regiment 35 and was then later assigned as the acting Sergeant Major, 3d Supply Battalion.  In November of 2013, he was selected to his current rank and transferred to the 3d Marine Division for assignment as the 3d Reconnaissance Battalion Sergeant Major.  In May 2015, Sergeant Major Buckles departed and reported to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, 3d Marine Air Wing for duty as the “GUNFIGHTERS” Sergeant Major.         

Sergeant Major Buckles is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Senior Enlisted Academy.  He possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Strategic Leadership from the American Military University and an Associate’s degree in General Studies from Central Texas College.  His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.  Sergeant Major Buckles was also recognized as the 2011 Liberty USO Service Member of the Year and co-winner of a program development award from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for his dedication to enhancing community involvement through youth fitness programs.     

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