Biography
Sergeant Major, Marine Aircraft Group 11
Sergeant Major Charles N. Latour

Charles La Tour was born in Blythe, California and raised in Phoenix, Arizona.  He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps August 10, 1999.  Upon completion of training at Recruit Depot San Diego and School of Infantry West, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marines (1/6) in Camp Lejeune, NC.  While serving as an Infantry Rifleman, Team Leader, and Squad Leader with 1/6, he conducted two Unit Deployment Programs to Okinawa, Japan and one UNITAS (float) aboard the USS Gunston Hall to South America and South Africa.  He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant during his tenure with 1/6.
Sergeant La Tour was then assigned to Parris Island Recruit Depot, Beaufort, SC in July 2003.  There he completed Drill Instructor School and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, Mike Company.  Prior to reporting to Mike Company, Sergeant La Tour completed six weeks of water survival training and obtained a secondary military occupation skill of Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival (MCIWS).  He completed seven cycles as a Drill Instructor and served as a MCIWS on the pool deck for 12 months.  Sergeant La Tour was then meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in January 2006.  Staff Sergeant La Tour successfully completed his tour as a Drill Instructor in May 2007.
Staff Sergeant La Tour was then transferred to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii where he was assigned to 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, Fox Company as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant.  He conducted a deployment to Iraq from February to August 2008.  Upon returning to Hawaii, Staff Sergeant La Tour was then assigned to Weapons Company as a Combined Anti-Armor Team Platoon Sergeant.  Prior to reporting to Weapons Company, he completed Martial Arts Instructor School where he became a black belt instructor.  Staff Sergeant La Tour then deployed to Afghanistan in May 2009 and was attached to Golf Company for direct support.   Upon returning to Hawaii in November 2009, Staff Sergeant La Tour was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.  He then was selected to serve as an Assistant Marine Officer Instructor at Iowa State University. 
Gunnery Sergeant La Tour received orders to report to Iowa State University to serve as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor. He departed Hawaii in May of 2010 and reported to Officer Candidate School, Quantico, VA.  He served as a Sergeant Instructor for both 1st and 2nd increments of summer 2010 prior to his arrival at ISU in August 2010.  During the summer of 2011, Gunnery Sergeant La Tour served as an instructor for Mountain Warfare Training Center and during the summer of 2012 served as a Sergeant Instructor for Officer Candidate School.
In August of 2013, Gunnery Sergeant La Tour reported to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, Headquarters and Service Company where he assumed the duties as the Logistics Chief.  In January 2014, Gunnery Sergeant La Tour assumed the roles and responsibilities as Company Gunnery Sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company.  He deployed with the Battalion Landing Team 2/1, on the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit where he served as Company 1stSgt and Battalion Landing Team Camp Commandant.
In April 2015, First Sergeant La Tour reported to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division.  He was assigned as the Inspector-Instructor for Headquarters and Service Company and Company A.  In December 2017, he received orders to Marine Corps Security Force Battalion Bangor. 
In January 2018, First Sergeant La Tour reported to Marine Corps Security Force Battalion Bangor as Company B First Sergeant. He served as Company B First Sergeant through January 2019.  He then was assigned as Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant.  He was promoted to Sergeant Major in October 2019.
Sergeant Major La Tour’s personal awards include: the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award with V, Navy Achievement Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award and the Combat action ribbon with one gold star in lieu of second award.