First Sergeant, Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment

Biography

First Sergeant Joel M. Young

1stSgt Young enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in December 1994. He completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA in February 1995, then reported to the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, CA as a student.

1stSgt Young completed Infantry Training in June 1995 as a TOW Gunner (0352). From July 1995 to June 1996, he was assigned to H & S Bn, Camp SD Butler, on Camp Foster Okinawa, Japan, as a Barracks and Grounds Marine, and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.

In July of 1996, 1stSgt Young reported to CAAP Plt, Wpns Co, 1st Bn, 2d Marines, where he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. During this time, 1stSgt Young deployed with the 22d MEU (SOC) aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3). 1stSgt Young’s platoon was the main effort during COMJTF Guardian Retrieval in Brazzaville, Congo, and Operation Noble Obelisk, a Non-combatant Evacuation Operation in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Upon his return from deployment, 1stSgt Young was assigned to Weapons Training Battalion, Camp Lejeune, as a Block/Safety NCO, and was promoted to Sergeant.

In December, 1998, 1stSgt Young finished his Active Duty commitment and immediately entered the Reserve component of the Marine Corps, reporting to TOW Plt, HQCo, 24th Marine Regiment in Kansas City, MO. In January 2005, 1stSgt Young was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and performed convoy escort duties throughout the country of Iraq from March to September of 2005. He was later promoted to Staff Sergeant in April 2006.

In May 2008, 1stSgt Young was again mobilized, this time as an Advisor/Trainer with Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group. Between 2008 and 2011, 1stSgt Young was the SNCOIC of the Security Cooperation Team assigned to the SouthCom Area of Operations, and was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. In August of 2011, 1stSgt Young reported to Marine Corps Forces South in Miami, FL, again serving as the SNCOIC of the Security Cooperation Team until September 2012.

In May 2013, 1stSgt Young reported to Anti-Tank (TOW) Training Company in Broken Arrow, OK as a Platoon Leader.

1stSgt Young was promoted to his current rank and subsequently assigned as the Company First Sergeant for H&S Company, 2d Bn, and 24th Marines in May of 2015.

His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ gold star in lieu of second award, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal with four bronze stars in lieu of the fifth award.