Sergeant Major Damian J. Reed was born 13 October 1980 in Kansas City, Missouri. Sergeant Major Reed reported to Recruit Training, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego on 30 August 2000. Upon completion of recruit training, Private Reed reported to School Of Infantry, Infantry Training Battalion West where he obtained the MOS of 0341.
On 25 February 2001, Private First Class Reed reported to 1st Battalion 4th Marines, Weapons Company, 81’s platoon where he served as an Assistant Gunner for an 81mm Mortar Squad. On 1 December 2001, Lance Corporal Reed deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Upon the Battalion’s return in July of 2002, Corporal Reed was placed in the squad leader position. In January of 2003, he deployed with the 11th MEU in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and took part in the initial invasion of Iraq with Regimental Combat Team 1. Corporal Reed returned from this deployment in September of 2003. In February of 2004, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and later deployed in June of 2004 with the 11th MEU in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. While deployed, he took part in the liberation of Najaf from the Sahdir Militia. Upon the Battalion’s return in March 2005 Sergeant Reed served as a section leader.
Sergeant Reed returned to MCRD San Diego as a Drill Instructor in March of 2006. Sergeant Reed served as a Drill Instructor and experienced Drill Instructor until his promotion to Staff Sergeant in January of 2008. He then served as Senior Drill Instructor and Series Chief Drill Instructor while completing his tour.
Staff Sergeant Reed executed PCS orders to 1st Battalion 5th Marines, where he served as Platoon Sergeant with Charlie Company, First Platoon. Staff Sergeant Reed deployed in March of 2011 in Support of OEF to Sangin, Afghanistan. On 2 April 2011, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. During deployment, Gunnery Sergeant Reed assumed the duty as Alpha Company, Company Gunnery Sergeant.
Gunnery Sergeant Reed was selected for duties as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor (AMOI) at the University of Texas in January of 2012. Gunnery Sergeant Reed assisted in the training of future Marine Officers at Officer Candidate School each summer as an AMOI. At the end of his tour, Gunnery Sergeant Reed was selected to the rank of First Sergeant.
First Sergeant Reed then executed PCS orders to 2d Battalion, 3d Marines in January of 2015 and assumed duties as Company F, Company First Sergeant. First Sergeant Reed deployed as part of a Unit Deployment Program in June of 2015 to Okinawa, Japan. Upon the Battalion’s return, First Sergeant Reed assumed duties as Company E, Company First Sergeant and again deployed as a part of the Unit Deployment Program in December of 2016.
In November of 2017, First Sergeant Reed executed PCS orders to Combat Logistics Battalion 5, Camp Pendleton, CA where he assumed duties as the Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant and in June of 2018, he transitioned to Transportation Services Company, as the Company First Sergeant. In May of 2019, First Sergeant Reed was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major and assumed his current billet as the Battalion Sergeant Major for Combat Logistics Battalion 5.
Sergeant Major Reeds’ personal decorations include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal in lieu of fourth award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat distinguishing device and the Combat Action Ribbon in lieu of second award.