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Marines


Biography

 

Sergeant Major Richard A. Vasquez
Command Senior Enlisted Leader
3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment

Sergeant Major Vasquez is currently serving as the Battalion Sergeant Major for 3rd Battalion 14th Marines in Bristol, Pennsylvania. As such he is responsible to the Battalion Commander to provide vital strategic leadership, effective management to the organization and ensure efficient management of resources in order to optimize operational readiness. 

Born in the country of Ecuador and raised in the vibrant environment of New York, Sergeant Major Vasquez enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and earned the title Marine in 2002. With two formidable degrees, he graduated with honors from California University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science and achieved an Associates Degree from the College of Westchester. Beyond his military role, Sergeant Major Vasquez holds a pivotal position as a senior DoD employee, serving as the Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic, Marine Force Command, Marine Forces Northern Command Theater Force Protection Program Manager.

Sergeant Major Vasquez commenced his Marine Corps journey at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, completed Marine Combat Training in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and earned the 1391 bulk fuel specialist military occupational specialty following training at the Marine Corps Petroleum Training Division in Fort Lee, Virginia. Over the course of his career, he served various billets and commands, including Combat Service Support 21, 2d Force Service Support Group, Marine Wing Support Squadrons 472 and 473, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Forces Command, Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, and 2d Battalion 25th Marines. Notably, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom: National Resolution and has participated in numerous service-level training exercises. 

Throughout his career, he diligently pursued further education through formal schools and acquired additional military occupational specialties, enhancing his professional military portfolio. Leveraging his intellect and extensive experience, he has played a pivotal role in developing security cooperation engagement plans and strategic global force management activities that support regional Marine forces under six geographic combatant commanders. He has also been instrumental in the execution support of pre-deployment training for deploying forces to optimize our capabilities to build partner capacity across various theaters worldwide.

Sergeant Major Vasquez's personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2d award).  In 2021, he was recognized as the Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command Civilian Marine of the Year for his superior federal service as an Operations Research Analyst and Foreign Disclosure Officer.