Sergeant Major Christopher M. Thomas is a native of Snellville, Georgia. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 10 March 2003 and attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon graduation, he reported to the School of Infantry to attend Marine Combat Training in Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Upon Graduation, he attended the Basic Marine Integrated Maintenance Management System School, Class 8-03 (0411). In October of 2003, Private First Class Thomas executed orders to 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion, 29 Palms, California.
While assigned to 3d LAR, he filled position of Maintenance Management Specialist for Headquarters and Service (H&S) Company, Communications Platoon deploying twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). He was promoted to Lance Corporal and Corporal before reaching his End of Active Service, separating from the Marine Corps in March 2007.
Corporal Thomas reenlisted in the Marine Corps on 1 October 2007 and acted as a Recruiter's Assistant at RSS Duluth, Georgia until he received orders back to the Fleet Marine Force. Corporal Thomas executed orders to 1st Tank Battalion, 29 Palms, California in December of 2007. While with 1st Tank Battalion, Corporal Thomas filled the billet of Maintenance Management Specialist, H&S Company. He was promoted to Sergeant on 1 March 2008 and received orders to 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 29 Palms, California.
During his tenure with 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Sergeant Thomas served as the Maintenance Management Chief (MMC), H&S Company, and deployed in support of OIF and Operation Enduring Freedom. He attended Sergeants Course, Class 6-09 before executing orders to Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School (MCCES) in 29 Palms, California in April of 2011.
While with MCCES, Sergeant Thomas filled the billets of MMC and Maintenance Management Officer (MMO), Headquarters Company. In July of 2012, Sergeant Thomas executed orders to Drill Instructor Duty, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego (MCRDSD) California and attended Drill Instructor School, Class 4-12.
Upon graduation from Drill Instructor School, Sergeant Thomas was assigned to 3d Recruit Training Battalion (RTBN), Company L where he served in the billets of Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor, and Senior Drill Instructor. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant on 1 March 2013. After successful completion of six recruit training cycles, he attended Career Course, Class 5-15 in Camp Pendleton (CPEN), California and was reassigned his quota billet as the Family Readiness Officer for 3d RTBN.
In October of 2015, Staff Sergeant Thomas executed orders to 1st Transportation Support Battalion where he served as the MMC and
MMO. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant on 1 September 2017 and received orders to Okinawa, Japan.
In February of 2018, Gunnery Sergeant Thomas executed orders to Headquarters Battery, 12th Marine Regiment in Okinawa, Japan where he filled the billets of Regimental MMC and MMO. He attended Intermediate Maintenance Management Specialist Course, Class 1-19 and was honored as the Distinguished Graduate. He also attended Advanced School, Class 1-20 while stationed on Okinawa. On 5 March 2021, he was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant.
In March of 2021, he reported to Buffalo, New York for Inspector-Instructor (I-I) Duty where he served as the I-I Unit Senior Enlisted Leader (USEL) for Company C, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines. In January 2024, First Sergeant Thomas completed the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 269 and was recognized as the Peter Tomich Award Recipient and Class Distinguished Graduate.
In March of 2024, First Sergeant Thomas again reported for duty aboard MCRDSD where he served as the USEL for Receiving Company, Support Battalion. In June of 2024, First Sergeant Thomas transferred to Kilo Company, 3d RTBN where he served as the Kilo Company USEL for three recruit training cycles.
On 30 May 2025, he was frocked to the rank of Sergeant Major, and he currently serves as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) for 3d Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion (LAAD), Marine Air Control Group-38, 3d Marine Air Wing aboard CPEN.
Sergeant Major Thomas' personal awards include the Purple Heart Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four gold stars in lieu of fifth award), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (one gold star in lieu of second award), the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon (bronze star in lieu of second award).