Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Dengrier Baez | Sgt. Maj. Ramon Nash, former Headquarters and Service Company first sergeant, is...... read more read more
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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A Tupelo, Miss., native was promoted to the rank of sergeant major, the highest enlisted rank in the Marine Corps, at Marine Barracks Washington, Dec. 19.
Sgt. Maj. Ramon M. Nash, son of Mary Francis, a devout member of the Inspirational Community Baptist Church of Tupelo, and the late James Louis Nash, is slated to leave the Barracks to report to Houston to assist the Corps’ recruiting efforts in the Lone Star state.
“I was overwhelmed when I first found out the news,” said the class of 1988 Tupelo High School-graduate. “It has always been a goal of mine to be a sergeant major.”
Sergeant major is both a rank and a military billet. A Marine sergeant major serves as the senior enlisted Marine in the Corps' units as the unit commander's senior enlisted adviser handling matters of discipline and morale among the enlisted Marines.
“Being promoted and leaving the Barracks is a bittersweet moment,” said Nash, who was on his second tour of duty here. “But the next step is about being a leader. Thinking what can be changed for the better.”
During his first tour of duty at the Barracks, Nash was the platoon sergeant for the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, the Barracks drill master and worked with the Marine Corps’ advertising agency on casting and as a consultant for Marine Corps commercials and other projects.
The SDP, part of Company A, performs at every Evening and Sunset Parade, held from late April until late August in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va., as well as at professional sporting events and ceremonies nationally and abroad.
Nash found himself coming back to the Barracks to serve as A Co.’s first sergeant, his original unit, before being reassigned to Headquarters and Service Company earlier this year.
“Performing in front of thousands of people and traveling the world was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me,” said Nash. “After my time with SDP, I became the drill master. I had a great group of Marines and I really enjoyed teaching them drill.”
Nash, the youngest of eight siblings — seven brothers and one sister — picked the day of his promotion on the 2nd anniversary of the passing of his late brother, John Nash.
“Being the youngest, he was always there for me, like a father,” said Nash. “This date means a great deal to me, not so much because of the promotion but knowing that if my brother was here, he would be proud.”
His decorations include: the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars in lieu of forth award, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait), the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze stars for service during three campaigns, the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars in lieu of fourth award.
At his promotion ceremony, Nash was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding service and support during his tour at the Barracks. He re-enlisted for another term in the Marine Corps during a ceremony here, Dec. 16.
| Date Taken: | 12.19.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2011 14:15 |
| Story ID: | 81694 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DC, US |
| Web Views: | 724 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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