Biography
Public Web Site for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Sergeant Major, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Sergeant Major Christopher Taylor

Sergeant Major Taylor began his current assignment as the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Sergeant Major on 19 April 2024. A native of Choctaw, Oklahoma, Sergeant Major enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 2000 and was assigned as a Basic Refrigeration Mechanic. He has attended all required Marine Corps Resident Professional Military Education (PME) Courses, Senior Enlisted Joint PME I, and is a graduate of Liberty University with a Bachelors Degree. 
 
Following graduation from Basic Recruit Training and Marine Combat Training, Taylor reported to 3rd Materiel Readiness Battalion, Engineer Maintenance Company, Camp Foster, Okinawa.  He spent two years on the island from January 2001 to December 2002, earning a meritorious promotion to Corporal.  

From Okinawa, he was sent to Marine Wing Support Group 27, Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and immediately deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 1.  In October 2004, he was assigned as the Enlisted Aide for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Commanding General and deployed again in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 4. He was subsequently assigned to Marine Air Support Squadron 1 (MASS-1). 

During his last tour in Iraq, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.  He remained with MASS-1 until receiving orders to Marine Security Group School as part of Class 1-09 where he was the Honor Graduate.  Staff Sergeant Taylor's first post was American Embassy Detachment Athens, Greece.  During his tenure as a Marine Security Guard, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant which also earned him the Military Occupation Specialty of 1169 Utilities Chief.  

Gunnery Sergeant Taylor's second assignment was as the Detachment Commander for American Consulate Chengdu, China.  During his tour in China, Detachment Chengdu was named the Region 3 Detachment of the Year.  Gunnery Sergeant Taylor's third and final assignment on Embassy duty was as the Detachment Commander for American Embassy Baghdad, Iraq.  Gunnery Sergeant Taylor then returned to Okinawa and was assigned as the Utilities Chief for Marine Wing Support Squadron 18 for a period of only 8 months.  He was then selected to First Sergeant and frocked in February 2013, earning him the Military Occupational Specialty of 8999.

He then checked into 12th Marines, Headquarters Battery as the Headquarters Battery First Sergeant, deploying with them to Combined Armed Training Center Fuji and Korea.  In May 2015, he was given orders to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion and assigned to Bravo Company.  

In April 2016, he was assigned to Alpha Company where he earned his Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia.  In January of 2017, First Sergeant Taylor transitioned to Force Reconnaissance Company, remaining until his promotion to Sergeant Major in April 2018.  During his time with Force Company, he served as instructor for Career Course Seminar Class 1-18.  

In June 2018, he checked into 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, working alongside multiple NATO Allies and partners, deployed in support of Exercise Trident Juncture, and hosted multiple partners during exercise Burmese Chase.  

From August 2020 to February 2022, he served with MARSOC at 3rd Raider Battalion. Spiritus Invictus.

For the past two years, he has served with Marine Corps Training Mission-United Arab Emirates, a Foreign Military Sales case as an advisor to the Sergeant Major for the Presidential Guard.  

Sergeant Major Taylor's personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one Gold Star, and various other service and campaign medals.