“I never had to worry about whether my fellow Marine had my back … they would give their life for their fellow Marine. And I would do the same … . I would not hesitate.”
—SgtMaj Carlton W. Kent
This month the 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Carlton W. Kent, ends his 35-year career and four-year tenure as the Corps’ top enlisted Marine. Where he will rank among previous Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps is something time and history will determine. One thing is certain: When it comes to being down-to-earth and caring for Marines and their families while putting forth a positive image, SgtMaj Kent has set the bar high for whoever follows. He’s had to. After he accepted his sword of office, the Corps grew to 202,000 active-duty Marines, and plans are to drop to 186,800 following the completion of Marine Corps operations in Afghanistan. He’s been involved in helping to oversee two major shooting conflicts—Iraq and Afghanistan—as well as the recent imbroglio and potential eruption of war in Libya. He also has been in office while military funding has been sharply reduced for the Corps’ development and purchase of much needed big-ticket items such as the expeditionary fighting vehicles and the F-35B, the short takeoff and vertical landing version of the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
The reduction in funding will monetarily impact Marines and affect the quality-of-life programs for Marines and their families. The end-strength cuts can mean more time away from home. And, there’s the question of how the men and women in the Corps will respond to new issues such as gays in the ranks or the possibility of women taking more roles in combat.
It is in those areas where the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps earns his pay as the go-to expert for Marines with questions and guidance. SgtMaj Kent has dealt with it all and will continue to do so until he is officially relieved June 9 during his parade at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C.
He talked with Leatherneck about his career and this last tour during a final interview in his Pentagon office.
Leatherneck: How is this new policy changing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” coming, and where is the Marine Corps in its initiative to school the troops under the new changes?
SgtMaj Kent: I think you need a little history on the policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the changing of the policy. We surveyed the Marines, and they came back saying right now is not the time to change the policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and that was the recommendation from the Commandant on down—not to change the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. However, the senior civilian leadership of the nation told us: “OK, we hear you, but the policy is going to change.” As Marines, we follow orders. That’s what we do best. So we began to implement the changes, and we’ve got training going on right now.
We are still going to have our discipline, we are still going to have our Corps values—honor, courage and commitment—and we are still going to continue to be the world’s finest and most feared and the most damn respected. And you know why? It’s because we’ve got great leadership that is going to implement these policies.
You are probably not going to see any effect on Marines with this policy because we are still going to be making Marines the way we’ve made them since 1775. The Commandant and I and all the leadership of the Marine Corps are going to set the example, and we are going to implement the changes.
Leatherneck: Do you think this will require changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice?
SgtMaj Kent: Right now we don’t see anything changing within the UCMJ. We might have to tweak a few things, but no major changes at this time.
Leatherneck: A lot of it is just applying the rules. Perhaps it’s that simple?
SgtMaj Kent: A lot is going to be executed by the small-unit leaders. We are going to push this leadership situation where it belongs—with those small-unit leaders, the noncommissioned officers and staff NCOs. That’s where it’s going to be executed with guidance from the senior leadership.
Leatherneck: Do you expect any backlash from the ranks?
SgtMaj Kent: No. In the Marine Corps we have discipline. Marines know that when the senior leadership says execute something, we execute it with no problems. We don’t see any backlash in the Marine Corps. We are not a civilian organization.
Leatherneck: This is a change for the whole Marine Corps. Is this something you think will happen quickly?
SgtMaj Kent: They have already told us the policy is going to change. We follow orders. Cut and dry, regardless of what a person’s personal opinion is—we follow orders. People can have a personal opinion regarding many things in the Marine Corps, but they still have to follow orders, rules and regulations. That’s what makes us different. That’s what separates us from any other service in the world, or any other organization in the world.
Leatherneck: Do you see a comparison with this issue and that of race and gender in the Marine Corps?
SgtMaj Kent: Some people say that it compares. But I can’t really be the judge on that because this is a different situation and a different time.
Leatherneck: There’s been a lot of talk about women in combat. Has the Marine Corps been looking at this?
SgtMaj Kent: At a recent First Sergeants’ Course, one of the female first sergeants stood up and asked: “Sergeant Major, do you have any input about the study group going on regarding women serving in infantry units?” I said, “Yes, I know there are some things going on and that there are some thoughts out there and that there is a group looking at this.” There were quite a few [women first sergeants] in the course. I turned the question back on them. All but one stood up and said: “We know our roles in combat.”
We have female Marines who are doing great things. We have what we call female engagement teams [working with Afghan women] due to the culture at some places where we are in Afghanistan. They are very valuable to those units. And they are doing great things outside the wire every day.
Those same first sergeants said, “We should not put female Marines in a situation where we set them up for failure by putting them in infantry units. First of all, women are not built like male Marines where we can carry a heavy ruck.”
We’ve got female Marines who can go anywhere in the Marine Corps and they’d do great things. You look at some of our senior women staff NCOs and officers—they have been there and done it.
They have deployed and never complained. We have female leaders that set the example for every Marine. They are leading female and male Marines. But to set them up for failure by putting them in infantry units, my recommendation would be no, because we want to take care of all our Marines.
Leatherneck: The Marine Corps has done some great things in the past few years in regard to physical fitness programs. What did you do to help make these changes? Can you elaborate on this?
SgtMaj Kent: First of all, I take no credit for this. There have been some positive changes during my time as the Sergeant Major of this great Corps. But it’s a team effort.
When the Commandant and I go out, we get input from all Marines. And if it makes sense, the Commandant is going to come back, take a closer look at it and, if it’s good for the Marine Corps, a change is made.
I can also tell you that we have good staff NCOs who also sit in conferences in these matters. They are key to any decision. We’ve got a great sergeant major/master gunnery sergeant team now. And some of those things such as the Combat Fitness Test, the Physical Fitness Test, and the Military Appearance Program came from a collective input from all the Marines, and they are not shy about speaking up.
Leatherneck: When you talk of the Marines speaking out more, it seems they are doing it more than those in the Corps decades ago were apt or encouraged to do. Why do you think that is?
SgtMaj Kent: We’ve been at war for almost 10 years. Marines have come together, and we have become a stronger Marine Corps by being in combat. We have leaders who’ve been molded in combat, and they are molding the future. Secondly, military education has been one of the key things we have enhanced, especially the enlisted courses. Starting with the Corporals Course all the way up to what we call the Senior Enlisted Course.
If you were to go down to Quantico, Va., and listen when the courses are in session, you’ll see senior enlisted Marines are no longer discussing things such as uniforms and drills. They learned that as NCOs. They are discussing things that are going to assist their commanders’ decision making in combat at an operational level or higher. I think the combat experience of the past few years and our professional military education [PME] have made our NCOs and staff NCOs very strong.
Leatherneck: I realize the economy is different, but why do you think we have a good reenlistment rate?
SgtMaj Kent: Marines come in the Corps to fight wars. Every Marine knows that we are a warfighting organization.
Leatherneck: If a PFC comes to you and says: “Sergeant Major, I love the Corps, I want to stay in and I want to make the most of it,” what would you recommend as a career pattern, now and down the line?
SgtMaj Kent: I can remember as a young Marine I had some really good NCOs and staff NCOs. They used to tell me something that I’ve always kept in my mind. They said, “The Marine Corps will take care of your career pattern, as long as you take care of your Marines.”
I’ve found that to be true. As long as you look down and not look up, and don’t worry about what your next promotion is, you are going to take care of your Marines. And in turn, those Marines will take care of their leader and take care of the Corps because they know someone is taking care of them. I would recommend to a Marine that he or she should not settle for just concentrating on their MOS. Venture out. Go to B-billets: the School of Infantry, drill field, Marine security guard, recruiting. Learn how to be the whole Marine.
Leatherneck: We’ve been in Iraq and Afghanistan for about 10 years now, so when you talk about dwell time, it is important. The family is about everything. This is something that has changed.
SgtMaj Kent: The attitude that “If the Marine Corps wanted you to have a spouse, they would have issued you one,” is long gone, because the majority of Marines are married. It’s more expensive now because of that. Many dollars are going to family support, but it’s worth it.
Our families are supporting the Corps. They sacrifice so much each and every day for their deployed Marines.
If you look at the Commandant’s Planning Guidance, you will see one of the priorities is keeping the faith with Marines, sailors and their families. Part of keeping that faith is the support we need to give our families in the Corps, and that will continue. The Wounded Warrior programs are going to continue to receive support, no matter what. We will continue to support those Marines forward deployed fighting the war.
Our Commandant is going to keep the faith. Every week we visit wounded warriors in the hospitals. We see numerous wounded, some severely wounded with missing limbs. They never complain about their combat wounds. The only thing they feel is that they let down their fellow Marines by getting medically evacuated out of country. They feel they are failing their Marines still forward deployed. One Marine who was missing both his legs looked at the Commandant as he pinned on his Purple Heart and said, “Sir, I only have one request.”
“What is that?” asked the Commandant.
He said, “Sir, my request is that I be allowed to stay on active duty.” He didn’t ask for any money, he didn’t ask for anything, he only asked to be allowed to stay on active duty.
The Commandant said, “Marine, you have my promise. The only thing you need to do is get well, but you have my promise that you will be allowed to stay on active duty.”
The Commandant has kept his word. I see packages come through here, waivers for wounded warriors that the Commandant has allowed to stay on active duty.
All these things we’ve been talking about, family support, all the things that deal with taking care of Marines, are about keeping the faith with Marines, sailors and their families. The Commandant is ensuring that they are getting everything that they need as Marines.
When it comes to drawing down on the number of Marines, the Commandant stood up a Force Structure Review Group to look at how we are going to go down in numbers. I can tell you that good Marines won’t have a problem staying in the Marine Corps.
You go back to the Operation Desert Storm days [post 1992] when a lot of Marines were forced out because of reduced structure or drawdowns. We don’t want to go through that process again. I want everyone to understand the Marine Corps is not going to draw down until after the end of combat operations.
Leatherneck: Is the Marine Corps going to be able to do that? What about Congress?
SgtMaj Kent: The civilian leadership of our nation understands that Marines are not going to draw down until after combat operations. And, when we start drawing down, it’s going to be sensible. It’s not going to be like: “Devil Dog, you gotta get out today!” That’s why the Commandant stood up the Force Structure Review Group, to look at a way we can draw down, without forcing good Marines and their families out.
Leatherneck: What do you foresee in regard to changes in roles and missions for the Marine Corps?
SgtMaj Kent: Let’s talk about the operational tempo. Look at Marines right now and where all the Marine expeditionary units are. They’re all over the map. Who went to Haiti? It was the Marines and the Navy. If they need a force in Indonesia, guess who’s going to go there? It’s going to be the Marines and the Navy in the MEU, because the Marines are truly expeditionary. We can move at the drop of a dime. And the Marines want to do that.
The Commandant has said we are a middleweight force. That means if we need to go heavy, we’re going to go heavy. Some people say we’re a second land army. That’s OK, because if we have to, we can be a second land army. And we’ve proven that in Iraq, and we’ve proven that over in Afghanistan in very austere conditions where Marines haven’t taken a shower in two months. But that’s OK, because we don’t have a problem with that; that’s what people join the Marines to do.
We are expeditionary. We’re ready for anything: anywhere, anytime and anyplace. So to answer your question in regards to roles and missions, we are a middleweight force and we can react with force anywhere.
Leatherneck: What were some of the things you set out to do while you were the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps?
SgtMaj Kent: You can always look back and say there were things I wanted to do that didn’t happen. So, I look back at the positive things that we did! When we came in here, I said we need to enhance the professional military education for all enlisted Marines, and as a team, we’ve done that. I knew there were other billets senior staff NCOs and NCOs could fill in the joint service arena. We now have master gunnery sergeants and sergeants major filling key billets in those joint arenas, and they end up doing great things.
We have what we call the Congressional Fellowship Program. Previously, we never had a staff NCO in those positions. Today, they are advising members of the House and Senate on Capitol Hill. We’re the only service that has staff NCOs in officers’ billets to advise the lawmakers. Those staff NCOs hit a home run. Now lawmakers are personally coming back to the Marine Corps, saying, “I want a staff NCO to work with me and to advise me.”
If you look at all the PME schools, to include the other services, you’ll see we have gunnery sergeants going out to those senior enlisted academies and coming out honor grads. We are sending first sergeants and master sergeants to the Army Sergeants’ Major Academy. We started doing that about three years ago.
We were asked to send a staff NCO to a combined warfighting course. This course was reserved for 06 pay-grade levels at the Joint Forces Command. We sent a sergeant major [who received] the writing award for the course.
Leatherneck: What advice will you give to the 17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps?
SgtMaj Kent: Be yourself. Never change what got you to this point. Always look out for Marines and speak on their behalf.
Leatherneck: Let’s talk about you. What are you going to do now that this tour is ending?
SgtMaj Kent: For the next couple of months, I’m not going to do anything but take it easy with my wife and daughters and son-in-law and have a good time with my family.
Leatherneck: What are you going to miss the most about the Marine Corps?
SgtMaj Kent: The Marines.
Leatherneck: Why do you think that is?
SgtMaj Kent: It was earning the title of United States Marine. That was the most important thing—not being the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. Every one of the Marines who graduated from boot camp with me had the same feelings because our drill instructors molded us into a team, into a family. That carries on throughout your whole career. You never forget what you learned as a basic Marine.
From times of peace and during my time in combat, I never had to worry about whether my fellow Marine had my back, because you know that they would give their life for their fellow Marine. And I would do the same for any one of the Marines. I would not hesitate. It’s that common bond: the eagle, globe and anchor branded in your heart.
Leatherneck: Is there anything else you’d like to say as we end our interview?
SgtMaj Kent: The Marine Corps is in great shape. From 1775 to today, Marines have that same warfighting spirit. They are living up to the great legacy of our Corps. They and their great families will take the Marine Corps to the next level. Liz and I can only hope we have set a great example for each and every Marine, sailor and their families.
Editor’s note: The Commandant has announced his selection of Sergeant Major Micheal Barrett as the 17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. Read more about SgtMaj Barrett in our “We—the Marines” department, page 36.
“Liz” Kent—The Sergeant Major’s Secret Weapon
Elizabeth Kent has worked alongside the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Carlton W. Kent, for nearly 32 years and has known him for even longer. They met in junior high school. Thanks to their grounded personalities and strong family values, they have made a great team.
“Liz” is the Sergeant Major’s wife. Besides being known as the one who keeps the Sergeant Major “out of trouble” and as his “better half,” she is known around the Corps for her efforts on behalf of Marine spouses and families and the supportive impact she has made during her husband’s tenure as the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.
The Sergeant Major attributes his wife’s success to the fact that people feel comfortable around her. “She is very down-to-earth,” he said. “She doesn’t care if it’s a private first class or a four-star general’s spouse, she will interact with them. She asks questions and she’s very open,” SgtMaj Kent continued. “She’s just Liz, and that’s what she tells anyone when she meets them. She says, ‘My name’s Liz.’ She doesn’t say, ‘I’m the spouse of the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.’ She doesn’t wear my rank, and that’s a great thing.”
Liz Kent doesn’t wear a rank, but she does take advantage of her able position as the Sergeant Major’s wife. When it comes to Marine Corps family concerns, she goes right to the top. “Spouses send her e-mails with issues all the time—and guess who ends up getting all those e-mails?” said the Sergeant Major. “She forwards them straight to me and says, ‘You better look into this!’ "Liz Kent has played a critical role in service to the Corps. Leatherneck salutes Liz and wants readers to know her thoughts on being a Marine spouse and the wife of the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.
Leatherneck: You’ve been very supportive of Marine Corps family efforts. Which specific programs have been your focus over the past four years?
Liz Kent: It’s a team effort. Our focus has been the Family Readiness Program, the Autism Program and the Child Development Centers.
Leatherneck: Are there any accomplishments that made you particularly proud?
Liz Kent: I’m proud of the way the Family Readiness Program has evolved and that families really take advantage of the program offerings.
Leatherneck: What family programs do you think should remain in focus for the Corps’ immediate future? What things do you see that need attention but have not come to fruition?
Liz Kent: All the family programs should remain a focus for the Marine Corps. Even when the war ends, issues for families will still be there and need to be addressed. One thing that needs to be addressed is the issue of school credits for military children. This especially affects high school-aged children. When a family transfers to a new duty station, the child’s credits shouldn’t be affected. No matter where the family goes, the new school should accept all the credits from the previous school.
Leatherneck: Tell us a little about your family and hometown. When and where did you meet Carlton Kent?
Liz Kent: I’m originally from Memphis, Tenn., and that’s where we met when we were in 7th grade. We’ve been married for nearly 32 years. We have two daughters, Cicely and Charo.
Leatherneck: In what ways do you think you helped support your husband’s career in the Marine Corps? What struggles have you faced together?
Liz Kent: I’ve helped his career by just being there for him when he needed me—making things happen. I was always supportive during moves—giving up jobs to move and setting up the household when we arrived at the new duty station. I was also supportive by filling both roles as a parent, filling his shoes when he was deployed on numerous occasions.
The struggles we faced were the combat deployments, while being there to support the Marines, families and friends. It was tough standing by and watching the conflicts on TV and witnessing Marines who paid the ultimate sacrifice return to loved ones.
Leatherneck: In what ways do you believe your hardships have been rewarded?
Liz Kent: The reward is the great friends we have made from duty station to duty station. These friends treat you like brothers and sisters. These friendships are forever.
Leatherneck: What were your favorite tours and why?
Liz Kent: I enjoyed Hawaii because there were a lot of opportunities to do family things. I’ve also enjoyed our time at this current duty station because we have an opportunity to help make a difference in the Marine Corps. But I honestly can say that I’ve enjoyed every duty station.
Leatherneck: Through your own family experience, what advice/encouragement would you like to give to Marine Corps families?
Liz Kent: The advice I would give is to support one another; always think things through; make decisions as a family, not as an individual; stay positive; and keep God in your life.
Leatherneck: What advice do you have for spouses of Marines, especially in light of the many new changes around the corner for the Corps?
Liz Kent: I would tell the spouses to hang in there, continue to be supportive of your spouse, and keep the family going, because the Marine Corps is one big family. Just be there for one another.
Leatherneck: Thank you very much, Liz—on behalf of the entire Marine and Navy family.
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