Sergeant Major Ott is a native of Sumter, SC. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in September 1991 and after graduating from Groton High School in Groton, NY in 1992, he shipped to Paris Island, SC on July 14th. Upon graduating boot camp in August, PFC Ott was sent to Marine Combat Training in North Carolina. Once MCT was completed, PFC Ott was sent on recruiter assistance duty until his MOS school picked up. LCpl Ott attended MOS school at NAS Meridian, Mississippi in January 1993, earned the MOS 7041 (Aviation Operations Specialist) and was transferred to Cherry Point, NC where he served as an Aviation Operations Specialist with VMAQ-3.
In March 1993, LCpl Ott took part in a WESTPAC in Iwakuni, Japan, where he was attached to MAG-12 as the Commanding Officers Driver. Upon completion of this duty, LCpl Ott continued his duty with VMAQ-3 as an Operations Specialist and returned to Cherry Point, NC in August 1993.
In October of 1994, Cpl Ott was attached to the USS America with VMAQ-3 as an Operations Specialist. During the Mediterranean Cruise, Cpl Ott participated in NATO operations in the Adriatic Sea. He was promoted to Sgt and became the acting Operations and Admin Chief of a two plane detachment in Aviano, Italy. As a result of his superior job performance during this time, he received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. In July 1996, Sgt Ott transferred from active duty to the Inactive Ready Reserves.
In August 1996, Sgt Ott transferred from the IRR to the Selected Marine Corps Reserves and attached to VMGR-452 as an Aviation Operations Specialist. In June 1999, Sgt Ott participated in Operation Northern Watch as the Operations Chief in Incirlik, Turkey.
In January 2002, Sgt Ott was activated with VMGR-452 Det A for support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Det A provided direct tanker and cargo support for the one of the Marine Expeditionary Units during Operation Enduring Freedom. In September 2003, now SSgt Ott, was demobilized and returned to SMCR status, where he continued to play an active role with VMGR-452.
In June 2005, SSgt Ott attended the Career Course at the SNCOA Quantico, VA, became the Squadron Gunnery Sergeant for VMGR-452 in December and in September 2006, was promoted to GySgt. GySgt Ott continued to serve as the Squadron GySgt for VMGR-452, attended the Advanced Course in July 2008 and was promoted to First Sergeant on May 1, 2010.
Upon being promoted, First Sergeant Ott became the Company First Sergeant for Alpha Company, Anti-Terrorism Battalion. During his tenure, 1stSgt Ott participated in operation Agile Spirit in the Republic of Georgia for annual training 2011. In June 2013, 1stSgt Ott was transferred to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment in Buffalo, NY as the Company First Sergeant. During his tenure, 1stSgt Ott participated in several exercises which included Integrated Training Exercise in Twentynine Palms, CA and African Lion ‘15 in Djibouti, Africa.
In June 2015, now Sergeant Major Ott, was transferred to 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment at Fort Devens, MA, where he served as the Battalion Sergeant Major. SgtMaj Ott participated in several exercises during his tenure, to include Nordic Frost in Ethan Allen, VT and exercise Northern Strike in Michigan in the summer of 2017.
Sergeant Major Ott was transferred from 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment to 2D Civil Affairs Group in Washington, D.C. in June 2018, where he served as the Group Sergeant Major. During a restructure, 2D CAG was deactivated and Marine Advisor Company Alpha was activated. Sergeant Major Ott continued as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the company.
In May 2020, Sergeant Major Ott was transferred to Marie Air Control Group 48 and is currently the Group Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Ott’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (7th Award) and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. Sergeant Major Ott earned his BS at SUNY Plattsburgh and his MS at SUNY Cortland. He is employed as a teacher at Moravia Middle School in Moravia, NY and also coaches Varsity Football, Varsity Wrestling and Varsity Golf.