Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps Veteran Alford L. McMichael, the first African American to become sergeant major of the Marine Corps.
Alford L. McMichael was born and raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 1970. After completing infantry training school and basic infantry training, McMichael served with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines at Camp Pendleton, California, in 1973.
Afterward, he became a drill instructor, series gunnery sergeant and battalion drill master at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. In 1979, after McMichael attended Marine Security Guard School, he served at the American Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark. He went on to complete the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy Advanced Course in 1984. McMichael also served in Okinawa, Japan, as first sergeant of Company C, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion.
In May 1991, McMichael served as sergeant major of Officer Candidates School at Quantico, Virginia. Eight years later, he became the first African American to assume the post of the sergeant major of the Marine Corps. During his tour as the 14th sergeant major of the Marine Corps, McMichael helped establish the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
McMichael decided to delay his planned retirement in 2003. Instead, he took on the role of senior noncommissioned officer at Allied Command Operations, a newly-created post. He held this position until his retirement in July 2006.
During his service, McMichael received a Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
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Outstanding Marine !! We served together on Okinawa in 1979 . We were on Float and Mack was in Shore Party . We were SSgts .
I completed my tour of duty in Vietnam in August 1970 and my 3 year commitment to the Army. I’ve always held those who started their military careers at this time in high esteem, particularly career military, as morale, discipline, and espirit de corps were at a very low point. Many of those career military might have missed the Vietnam experience, but they remained committed to improving a seriously depleted military.
Thank you for your service Alford L. McMichael.