Louisville, Kentucky -- Marines, family and friends of Marine Corps Recruiting Station Louisville, Kentucky, gathered as Sgt. Maj. Daniel G. Bullock retired and relinquished his post as the station sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. John K. Wyatt during a relief, appointment and retirement ceremony at the Kentucky Derby Museum, March 20.
“[Bullock’s] contribution to the recruiting effort at Marine Corps Recruiting Station Louisville, Kentucky, can’t be overstated,” said Maj. Donald Hotchkiss, commanding officer of RS Louisville. “His past experience as a recruiter, drill instructor and inspector instructor (I&I) staff first sergeant made him an absolute force multiplier for this command.”
Bullock, a native of Crowder, Missouri, enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 18 on May 29, 1985. He began his military career in communications as a field wireman and radio operator with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion in September 1986 and attended Jungle Warfare Training in Panama in 1990.
His extensive contributions and accomplishments in the Marine Corps include serving as a drill instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, in 1997 and being handpicked to stand up the first Marine Corps Martial Arts Program at Division schools. There, he became a 1st degree black belt instructor trainer. After a year, he became the chief instructor for the Marine Corps Martial Arts School where he received the rank of 3rd degree black belt instructor trainer. Bullock also served as a canvassing recruiter at Recruiting Sub-Station Lexington, South Carolina and staff noncommissioned officer at RSS Myrtle Beach.
Bullock deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, once in 2006 as a SNCOIC of a police transition team and again in 2008 as Charlie Battery first sergeant. In 2009, Bullock served as inspector instructor first sergeant with 3rd Force Recon Company in Mobile, Alabama, where he trained and prepared reserve Marines for multiple deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and to Africa. In 2013, Bullock was frocked to sergeant major and assigned his current billet as recruiting station sergeant major at RS Louisville.
For his devoted service to the Marine Corps, Bullock was awarded his second meritorious service medal. His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars and Combat Action Ribbon.
“I feel really good about my time in the Marine Corps and being the sergeant major at RS Louisville,” Bullock said. “I plan to take all the skills I learned in the Marine Corps and now use them in the civilian sector.”
As Bullock transitions to civilian life, Wyatt, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, will take over as the station sergeant major.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps Feb 15, 1995. Upon completion of Marine Combat Training and military occupational specialty school, he served as a field artillery radar operator with Headquarters Battery, 12th Marine Regiment, at Marine Corps Base Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan.
After his tour in Japan, Wyatt served as a drill instructor with Company L, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion at MCRD Parris Island. Upon returning to the fleet, he deployed in support of OIF with 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade in January 2003 and again with 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, in September 2004. He also completed two deployments with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award and the Combat Action Ribbon.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve the Marines of RS Louisville and contribute to the increased success of this recruiting station,” Wyatt said.
“I have full confidence in Sergeant Major John Wyatt, who is a Kentucky native and comes to RS Louisville from Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, South Carolina, where he last served as the first sergeant of the prestigious Drill Instructor School,” Hotchkiss said. “His eagerness to integrate himself into the daily battle rhythm and sheer motivation will bring a renewed energy to the recruiting force. I have no doubt that a solid handoff has occurred, and he is ready and able to carry the ball down the field.”