MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Sgt. Maj. Steven L. Brown took the reigns as the Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 sergeant major from Master Sgt. Rene Benedit during a postand- relief ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Aug. 24.
Benedit has been the acting sergeant major for the Bats since the end of June. He was returned to his position as ordnance chief. Brown enlisted in the Marine Corps on Aug. 6, 1987.
He graduated from Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. Upon graduation he attended Aviation Machinist Mate School in Millington, Tenn.
Upon graduation, he attended Fleet Readiness Aviation Maintenance Program School for the F/A-18 Hornet in Jacksonville, Fla.
In 1988, as a lance corporal, he was transferred to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 451 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C. In 1989, as a corporal, Brown transferred to VMFA-122 aboard MCAS Beaufort and participated in multiple unit deployments to the Western Pacific.
From 1989 to 1993, he completed tours with VMFA 312, VMFA-451 and VMFA- 122 in Beaufort, S.C. From there, as a sergeant, he was selected as a drill instructor to MCRD Parris Island, S.C.
In 1995, as a staff sergeant, Brown again reported to MCAS Beaufort, where he was assigned to VMFA(AW)-533. While assigned to VMFA(AW)-533, he made multiple unit deployments to Italy, Hungary and the Western Pacific.
In August of 1999, Brown reported to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, where he was assigned to VMFA-212 and held billets as powerline division chief, maintenance control chief and squadron gunnery sergeant.
In May of 2004, as a first sergeant, Brown was transferred to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines in Johnson City, Tenn., where he filled the billet of inspector instructor first sergeant until his promotion to sergeant major.
Brown assumed post as the Combat Engineer Battalion sergeant major in May 2007, where he saw combat during a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in homeland security from American Military University in Charlestown, W.Va.
His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal.