Biography
Sergeant Major, Marine Aircraft Group 13
Sergeant Major Keith Massi

Sergeant Major Massi enlisted in December 1988 and graduated from MCRD Parris Island, SC in March 1989.  After graduation, Private Massi reported to the Marine Corps Artillery Detachment at Fort Sill, OK and obtained the primary MOS of Marine Artillery Fire Directional Controlman.  Private First Class Massi then reported for duty in May 1989 with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines at Camp Pendleton, CA. 

Upon being promoted to Lance Corporal in January 1990, he was re-assigned to Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines for duty in the Operations Section.  From December 1990 thru April 1991 Lance Corporal Massi deployed to South West Asia and participated in combat operations during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  

Meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal in June 1991, Corporal Massi received orders in November 1991 to Headquarters Battery, 12th Marines, Okinawa, Japan for duty as a Surveyman.  Corporal Massi was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in November 1992 and soon after released from Active Duty at the conclusion of his four year enlistment. 

In March 1995 Sergeant Massi returned to Active Duty and was assigned to Headquarters Battery, 12th Marines, Okinawa, Japan for duty as Target Processing Chief.  After completing his tour on Okinawa in May 1996, Sergeant Massi received orders and reported to Romeo Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines, Camp Pendleton, CA for duty as Assistant Battery Operations Chief.  During this tour, Sergeant Massi deployed with the 11th MEU, from February 1998 to August 1998, participating in Operation Safe Departure in Eritrea, Africa. 

Sergeant Massi was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in April 1998 and received orders in September 1998 to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, for duty as Battery Operations Chief and Headquarters Platoon Sergeant.  From August 2000 to February 2001, Staff Sergeant Massi deployed with the 13th MEU, participating in Humanitarian Relief Operations in East Timor, and in Operation DETERMINED RESPONSE in connection with the attack on the USS Cole off the coast of Yemen.

In May 2001 Staff Sergeant Massi was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt), and received orders to the MSG Detachment, American Embassy, Minsk, Belarus for duty as the Detachment Commander.  After completing his tour, GySgt Massi received orders and served subsequent tours at American Embassies Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire and Algiers, Algeria as Detachment Commander.

After completing his tour in Algiers during March 2005, GySgt Massi was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant (1stSgt ).  In April, he reported to Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, Camp Pendleton.  From September to April 2006, 1stSgt Massi deployed to Iraq and participated in combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, subsequently deploying with Echo Battery as a component of the Battalion Landing Team for the 31st MEU, Okinawa, Japan, from January 2007 to January 2008.  In March 2008, 1stSgt Massi received orders to Headquarters Battery, 11th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, CA.

In March 2009, Sergeant Major Massi was promoted to his current rank and reported for duty as the first Squadron Sergeant Major for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, MAG-39, Camp Pendleton and later deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) from May to November 2012.  

Following his deployment to OEF, Sergeant Major Massi received orders to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan and reported for duty as Station Sergeant Major in June 2013.  In May 2015, Sergeant Major Massi was selected and reported for duty as 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Sergeant Major, Camp Pendleton, CA.  In August of 2016, Sergeant Major Massi received orders to Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity , Camp Pendleton, CA for duty. 

Sergeant Major Massi’s personal awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Air Medal with Strike Flight Numeral 2, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one Gold Star, Combat Action Ribbon with one Gold Star.