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Marines


Biography

 

Sergeant Major Paul J. Hannaway
Inspector-Instructor Sergeant Major
14th Marine Regiment

Sergeant Major Hannaway is a native of Rhode Island and enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 1997. He attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Parris Island, South Carolina.

Private Hannaway attended the School of Infantry (SOI), at Camp Geiger, North Carolina and received the MOS 0351, Assaultman. After graduation, he reported to the Basic Security Guard Course at Marine Corps Security Forces Training Company, Chesapeake, Virginia. In April 1998, Private First Class Hannaway received orders to Interim Marine Corps Security Force Company Bahrain. He served as a designated marksman, squad leader, and participated in Operations Southern Watch, Desert Fox, and Desert Thunder.

In April 1999, Lance Corporal Hannaway reported to Small Craft Company, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In July 1999, he was promoted to Corporal. He served as a Riverine Assault Craft Boat Captain and deployed as a Rigid Raider Craft Coxswain conducting bilateral riverine operations throughout South America.

In May 2001, Corporal Hannaway was promoted to Sergeant and received orders to Marine Corps Security Forces Training Company for duty as a Physical Security and Tactics Instructor. During this tour, he conducted a site security and threat assessment of the U.S. Embassy Kabul, attended the Close Quarters Battle (CQB) Course, attained his Black Belt 1st Degree Martial Arts Instructor status, and was recognized as a Security Forces Master Instructor.

In August 2004, Sergeant Hannaway received orders to Anti-Terrorism Battalion (AT Bn), 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for duty as an Assault Section Leader. In December 2005, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He attended Infantry Unit Leaders Course at Camp Geiger and was recognized as the Honor Graduate. He served on two separate deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom to Baghdad and was present during the unit's transition and activation of 2nd Battalion 9th Marines.

In January 2008, Staff Sergeant Hannaway received orders to Drill Instructor School MCRD San Diego, California and was assigned to Hotel Company, 2d Recruit Training Battalion. He served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor. In March 2009, he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and graduated as the Honor Graduate from the Advanced Course at Camp Pendleton. In March 2010, Gunnery Sergeant Hannaway was transferred to Drill Instructor School where he served as the Drill Master and Chief Instructor for Drill Instructor School MCRD San Diego.

In April 2011, Gunnery Sergeant Hannaway received orders to 2d Battalion 6th Marines, Camp Lejeune where he served as the Fox Company Gunnery Sergeant and First Sergeant. He deployed with the battalion for Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

In September 2012, Gunnery Sergeant Hannaway was promoted to First Sergeant and received orders to the School of Infantry-East, Marine Combat Training Battalion, Company I, where he served as the Company First Sergeant.

In November 2014, he received orders to Inspector-Instructor duty, Maintenance Services Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 25, 4th Marine Logistics Group, New Haven, Connecticut and served as the Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant.

In June 2017, Sergeant Major Hannaway was promoted to his current rank and received orders to 3d Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan where he served as the Battalion Sergeant Major and participated in numerous exercises throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

In July 2019, Sergeant Major Hannaway reported to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (VMM-262), MAG-36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan for duty as the Squadron Sergeant Major. In June 2020, VMM-262 changed operational control to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit where Sergeant Major Hannaway served as the Aviation Combat Element Sergeant Major for VMM-262 Reinforced aboard the USS America. In April 2021, Sergeant Major Hannaway reported to Site Support, 14th Marine Regiment, Fort Worth, Texas where he currently serves as the Inspector-Instructor Sergeant Major.

Sergeant Major Hannaway graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ashford University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 3 gold stars in lieu of 4th award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 3 gold stars in lieu of 4th award, and the Combat Action Ribbon.