Sergeant Major Lavine is a native of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. He moved to the United States in December of 1983. He and his family settled in Orange, New Jersey where he attended and graduated from Orange High School in 1989. In September of 1989, Sergeant Major Lavine attended Jersey City State College, located in Jersey City, New Jersey and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in May of 1994.
In July of 1994, Private First Class Lavine enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. In August of the same year, he arrived at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina to begin recruit training. In October, after finishing recruit training, he attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) and then job training as a Motor Transport Operator at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Upon conclusion of MCT and Motor Transport School in February of 1995, Lance Corporal Lavine received orders to MWSS 273, Beaufort, South Carolina where he completed his active duty enlistment in August of 1998.
In October of 1998, Sergeant Lavine joined the Selective Marine Corp Reserve (SMCR) with 6th Motor Transport Battalion in Red Bank, New Jersey. In January of 1999, he dropped to the Individual Ready Reserve in order to attend the Police Academy and pursue his civilian career in law enforcement.
In October of 2001, Sergeant Lavine returned to the SMCR after the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Approximately one year later, he was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). In February of 2003, along with his battalion, Sergeant Lavine deployed to Iraq with 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, 1st Force Service Support Group, 1st Transportation Support Group, as the Platoon Sergeant for Light Truck Company and the convoy commander for several resupply missions. In May of 2003, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.
In July of 2003, he returned from his tour in Iraq and rejoined 6th Motor Transport Battalion. In December of 2004, Staff Sergeant Lavine was once again mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and deployed to Iraq in February of 2005, where he was attached to 11th Marine Expeditionary Force Forward, 2nd Force Service Support Group, Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Transportation Support Company, as the 2nd Platoon Sergeant for 2nd Platoon and assistant convoy commander (ACC). In September of 2005, he returned to 6th Motor Transport Battalion after completing his second tour in Iraq.
In November of 2006, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. He served as the battalion’s licensing examiner and was responsible for ensuring that licensing guidelines were being maintained in accordance with appropriate orders for the entire battalion. In December of 2008, he served as the acting First Sergeant for Headquarters & Service Company in the absence of the Company First Sergeant.
In May of 2010, he was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant and was issued orders to Intelligence Support Battalion (ISB) in Quantico, Virginia. In June of the same year, he checked in to ISB Charlie Company and took over as the Company First Sergeant.
In June of 2014, he received orders to Combat Logistic Battalion (CLB) 451, Motor Transport Company, Orlando, Florida and took over as the Company First Sergeant.
In May of 2015, First Sergeant Lavine was frocked to the rank of Sergeant Major and reported to VMGR 234, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Fort Worth, Texas.
In June on 2017, Sergeant Major Lavine received orders to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772, Joint Base McGuire Air Force-Fort Dix, Lakehurst, New Jersey.
Sergeant Major Lavine's personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal, gold star in lieu of second award, and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal.