Sergeant Major Groth enlisted in the Marine Corps in Oct 1992 and attended recruit training at MCRD San Diego, CA with following training at MCT and then continued to his MOS school (0331). Upon completion of MCT and MOS school, Sergeant Major Groth was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines in 29 Palms, Ca.
During his tour with 1st Battalion 7th Marines, SgtMaj Groth served in numerous billets ranging from Machine Gun Team Leader to Machine Gun Squad Leader and finally Machine Gun Section Leader. SgtMaj Groth completed (2) Western Pacific deployments, at the end of his first enlistment, November 1996, SgtMaj Groth was promoted to Sergeant and then decided to reenlist for four more years in the Marine Corps and in 1997, SgtMaj Groth attended Sgt Course.
In 1997, SgtMaj Groth received orders to Edison Range to be a Rifle Coach in Camp Pendleton, CA and upon graduating from Coaches Course he was assigned to Bravo Range to be a Coach, 6 months later he became a Block NCO. In Nov 1997 SgtMaj Groth was transferred to be a PMI Instructor and Pistol Instructor.
In 1999, SgtMaj Groth received orders to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines Kaneohe Bay, and HI. He was assigned to India Company, Weapons Platoon as a Machine gun Section Leader. SgtMaj Groth went to Platoon Sgt Course in 2000 and then was transferred to be a Squad Leader Instructor for Six months. He was promoted to SSgt in 2001 and became the Weapons Platoon Sgt. SgtMaj Groth had an opportunity to go to SERE School and completed SERE school in 2001. SgtMaj Groth completed SNCO Career Course in 2002. SgtMaj Groth completed (2) Western Pacific deployments while he was with 3D battalion 3D Marines.
In 2002, SgtMaj Groth received orders to the School of Infantry Camp Pendleton, CA where he was assigned as a Platoon Sergeant in Bravo Company. SgtMaj Groth moved up to be the Company Gunny for Bravo Company in 2003. SgtMaj Groth was transferred to Delta Company as there new Company Gunny in 2004 and 2005, SgtMaj Groth was selected to be an Instructor for the Marine Combat Instructor Course (MCIC).
In Dec of 2005, SgtMaj Groth received orders to 2nd Battalion 4th Marines Camp Pendleton, CA. SgtMaj Groth was promoted to GySgt in Jan 2006 and was assigned as H&S Company Gunnery Sergeant. SgtMaj Groth deployed to IRAQ (OIF) in 2007, attended Staff Academy Advance Course and deployed to Okinawa in 2008.
In Sept of 2008, SgtMaj Groth received orders to Marine Force pacific, Camp Smith, HI and was assigned as the G3 to Future Operations Chief, later that year SgtMaj Groth was transferred to Theatre Security and Cooperation as the TSC Operation Chief.
In Sept 2009, SgtMaj Groth was selected to 1stSgt and received orders to 2d Battalion 3d Marines as the Company 1stSgt for Fox Company. SgtMaj Groth deployed to OEF in Nov 2010 to June 2011. Returning back from OEF SgtMaj Groth was TAD to 3d Marine Regiment where he assisted and acted as Regt SgtMaj in his absence.
In January 2012, SgtMaj Groth received orders to I and I Topeka, Kansas as there 1stSgt.
In April 2014, SgtMaj Groth was Frocked to SgtMaj and received orders to his current duty station, VMFA(AW)225 MAG 11.
In February 2016, SgtMaj Groth received orders to his current duty station, HMLAT 303 MAG 39.
SgtMaj Groth awards include the, Bronze Star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with (2) gold stars, Combat Action Ribbon.