Sergeant Major Cyril O. Bickham is a native of New Orleans, LA.  He graduated from John F. Kennedy Senior High School in 1999.  He attended Columbia Southern University (CSU) and graduated with an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice and Bachelor's of Science in Information Technology.  He continued his formal education at the American Military University (AMU). There, he earned a Certificate in Law Enforcement Leadership, Certificate in Homeland Security and a Bachelor's of Art in Security Management. 
 
Bickham reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego on 17 July 2000.  Upon graduation with a rank of Private, he reported to the School of Infantry West (SOIW) to continued his training and acquired his primary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 0311  - Basic Rifleman. After completing his MOS requirements, Private Bickham was transferred to Headquarters & Service (H&S) Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division, New Orleans, LA.  During this period, he was promoted to Private First Class and Lance Corporal.
 
In March of 2003, Lance Corporal Bickham was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and was assigned to H&S Company, Security Platoon, AlKut, Iraq.  During this deployment, Lance Corporal Bickham served as lead driver during convoy operations, machine gunner, and fire team leader. He was demobilized on 21 October 2003. 
 
From 4 May 2004 to 17 November 2006, Lance Corporal Bickham executed various types of orders with Marine Forces Reserve (MFR). He worked with the Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS),  MFR G-3/5, and the MFR Security Manager Officer.  Lance Corporal Bickham served as the Drug Demand Reduction Program Officer, Command Operations Center Duty NCO and Security Specialist.  During this period, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal (2004) and promoted to the rank of Sergeant (2005).
 
In May of 2007, Sergeant Bickham executed orders to mobilize for the second time in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) with H&S Company, 3rd Battalion 23rd Marines, Haditha, Iraq.  During post-deployment training, he was reassigned to Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion 23rd Marines and served as the Police Sergeant, Forward Observation Base (FOB) Cop Ellis.  Sergeant Bickham was selected for Staff Sergeant from the FY08 Reserve Selection Board. 
 
Upon his return from mobilization in June 2008, Sergeant Bickham was placed on consecutive orders and assigned to MFR G-3/5 serving as the Assistant Force Schools Quota Manager.  Once promoted in October 2008, Staff Sergeant Bickham was reassigned within the MFR G-3/5 to fill the role as the Force-Level Readiness Chief.  Staff Sergeant Bickham remained with the MFR G-3/5 until 1 January 2010.  In March 2010, Staff Sergeant Bickham received a position as the Training and Operations Chief for Headquarters Battalion, MFR. At the completion of his orders, he accepted a civilian position with the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Program (MCLEP) as a GS-09 Lead Police Officer.

In August of 2010, Staff Sergeant Bickham transferred to HQBN, 4th MARDIV, where he served as the Operations Chief, a position reserved for a Master Gunnery Sergeant.  In June of 2011, he executed Active Duty Operational Support (ADOS) orders to plan and execute the mobilization of HQBN, 4th MARDIV.  Staff Sergeant Bickham was later activated with the unit in support of the Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Training Mission in Afghanistan.  During this deployment, Staff Sergeant Bickham served as the Commander for two locations within RSC West (RTC Herat & Shouz TC), which were part of a joint military operation, used to train various elements of the Afghanistan military and law enforcement organizations. 
 
Upon his return from Afghanistan in November 2012, Staff Sergeant Bickham transferred to the Command Element (CE), Force Headquarters Group (FHG).  During this period, he worked in the G-3/5 as the Operations Chief.  Staff Sergeant Bickham was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in April 2013.  
 
In 2015, Gunnery Sergeant Bickham transferred to the Marine Corps Individual Reserve Support Activity (MCIRSA),  Mobilization Operational Support Team (MOST) where he served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor, a position reserved for a Master Gunnery Sergeant. Gunnery Sergeant Bickham was selected to First Sergeant from the FY18 Reserve Selection Board.