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Marines


Biography

 

First Sergeant Michael T. Westlund
Inspector-Instructor Unit Senior Enlisted Leader
Fox Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment

First Sergeant Westlund is a native of Cincinnati, OH. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 2007 and underwent recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina the same month. Upon completing training at Parris Island, he reported to Camp Geiger, North Carolina in June 2007 for Marine Combat Training.

In July 2007, First Sergeant Westlund completed Marine Corps Communication Elec School in Twenty-nine Palms, California where he earned the MOS 0621 Field Radio Operator. He was ordered to 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Twenty-nine Palms, CA. During this tour at 2d Battalion, First Sergeant Westlund completed a deployment with Echo Company in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in April 2008 and with Golf Company 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in December 2009. First Sergeant Westlund was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal, Corporal, and Sergeant during this tour.

In April 2011, he reported to Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division, Communication Company, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He held billets as a Radio Platoon Sergeant, Radio Chief, and EKMS Manager and was promoted to Staff Sergeant. During this tour, First Sergeant Westlund was hand selected to take part in the Security Force Assistance Advisor Team where he deployed to Deleram, Afghanistan to train the Afghanistan Army in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from March 2013 to April 2014.   

In January 2016, First Sergeant Westlund received orders to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion of Drill Instructor School, he was assigned to Echo Company, 2d Training Battalion (RTBN) where he served one cycle as a Drill Instructor, one cycle as a Knowledge Drill Instructor, two cycle as an Experienced Drill Instructor, and two cycles as a Senior Drill Instructor. He was re-assigned to Golf Company where he served two cycles as a Chief Drill Instructor. First Sergeant Westlund concluded his tour as Drill Instructor while assigned to 2d RTBN Headquarters as the Supply Chief Drill Instructor and Maintenance Chief Drill Instructor. 

In May 2019, First Sergeant Westlund reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 (MWSS-171), Marine Aircraft Group 12, Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan and served as Headquarters and Service Company Transmissions Chief. First Sergeant Westlund was promoted Gunnery Sergeant on November 1, 2019. He was re-assigned to Engineer/Support Company and served as the Company First Sergeant. He was given temporary additional duty orders to serve as Acting Sergeant Major for MWSS-171. 

In July 2021, he reported for duty to Rocket Battery Fox, 2d Battalion, 14th Marines, 4th Marine Division where he served as I&I Communication Chief, Security Manager, and Acting First Sergeant.

In April 2023 First Sergeant Westlund was frocked to his current rank and assignment as the Rocket Battery Fox, 2d Battalion, 14th Marines, 4th Marine Division Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant. 

His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with four gold stars in lieu of fifth award, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.