Biography
Recruiting Station Lansing
Sgt. Maj. Gregory S. Ashton

Sgt. Maj. Ashton, an Abilene, Texas native, enlisted in the Marine Corps on 7 January 2003 from Vine Grove, Kentucky.  He attended recruit training at 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.  Following recruit training, he completed  Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Geiger, North Carolina.  Following MCT, he reported to the Marine Corps Communications and Electronics School in 29 Palms, California where he received the Military Occupational Skill of 0651, Basic Network Specialist.  

In July 2003, Pfc. Ashton reported to Marine Forces Pacific Command (MARFORPAC) G6, Camp Smith, Hawaii.  In 2004, while serving with MARFORPAC G6, Lance Cpl. Ashton was sent on Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) to Marine Central Command (MARCENT), Tampa, Florida for six months.  After returning to Hawaii Cpl. Ashton was immediately sent to Seoul, Republic of Korea for six months as the MARFORPAC Korean Detachment Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge.  Upon Returning from the Republic of Korea he was selected for the MARFORPAC Commanding Generals Communications Team.

In January 2007, Sgt. Ashton reported into Marine Air Support Squadron-1 (MASS-1), Cherry Point, North Carolina.  While attached to MASS-1 Sgt. Ashton served as the Data Chief and the Platoon Sergeant.  He deployed to Al-Fallujah, Iraq in July of 2007 and returned February of 2008.  

In September 2008,  Sgt. Ashton reported for duty to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon.  He worked in the Office of the Chief Information Officer as the Information Technology (IT) Requirements Support SNCOIC and as the IT Security Operations Staff Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge. 

In May 2012, Staff Sgt. Ashton executed orders to Quantico, Virginia for Marine Security Guard (MSG) School, class 4-12, as a Student Detachment Commander.  Upon completion of Marine Security Guard School in July 2012, he reported to Kathmandu, Nepal where he served as the MSG Detachment Commander. 

In December of 2013 1st Sgt. Ashton returned to Quantico, Virginia to lead in the establishment of the MSG Security Augmentation Unit (MSAU), where he served as the 3rd Squad Detachment Commander and deployed to Adana, Turkey; Bangkok, Thailand; and Nairobi, Kenya on pre-crisis embassy support missions and to Panama City, Panama on a presidential support mission. In October of 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and assumed the role as the MSAU Operations Chief. 

In June 2015 Gunnery Sgt. Ashton departed Quantico, VA and checked into Marine Forces Europe (MARFOREUR/AF) G-6, Marine Air Ground Task Force Information Technology Support Center (MITSC) where he served as the MITSC Chief.  

In July of 2018, 1st Sgt. Ashton executed orders to 3d Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, Okinawa, Japan, where he served as the Headquarters Battery First Sergeant until July of 2020.  From August of 2020 through November of 2020 he filled the role as the Battalion Sergeant Major.  In December of 2020 he resumed his role as the Headquarters Battery First Sergeant.

In July of 2021, 1st Sgt. Ashton executed orders to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, California where he served as the First Sergeant for Bulk Fuel Company Engineer Support Company.

In April of 2023, Sgt. Maj. Ashton executed orders to his current billet as the Sergeant Major for Recruiting Station Lansing, Michigan, 4th Marine Corps District, Marine Corps Recruiting Command.

Sgt. Maj. Ashton's personal decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal in lieu of third award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in lieu of second award, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.

4th Marine Corps District