Sergeant Major Justin Burnette is a native of Galax, Virginia. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps through the Delayed Entry Program in October 2001 and reported to Parris Island, SC in June 2002. Upon graduation, he attended Marine Combat Training in Camp Lejeune, NC and transferred to NAS Pensacola FL for “A” School until March 2003 and NAS Jacksonville, FL until July 2003, when he was awarded Military Occupational Specialty (6073) Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Electrician and Refrigeration Technician.
He was assigned to the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 26, New River Air Station Jacksonville, NC. There he served as an Electrician in 900 Division. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in March of 2004.
He deployed with Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 to Djibouti Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from August 2004 until March 2005. Shortly after returning to New River Air Station, he joined Medium Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 266 and deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II until March 2006.
He was promoted to Sergeant in May 2006 and became the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Work Center 990 until April 2008. Following this he attended Recruiter School in San Diego, California until graduation and reported to Recruiting Station Raleigh, NC as a Production Recruiter for Permanent Contact Station Wilkesboro, NC. After 13 months he was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant. Completing his tour in July 2011, he reported to MALS 14 as a Work Center Staff Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (SNCOIC) and deployed on the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252. While attached to VMGR-252, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
In January 2013, Sergeant Major Burnette returned to MALS 14 and became the Support Equipment Planned Maintenance Coordinator until September 2014. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, 2nd award.
In September 2014, he served at Marine Transport Squadron (VMR) One as the GSE Division Chief and Substance Abuse Control Officer. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in November 2014 and earned his Aircrew Wings as a Second Load Master on the DC9B Sky Train in January 2016. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, 3rd award.
Following his assignment with VMR-1, in January 2017, he was selected to serve at Training and Education Command, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA. He was appointed as the Maintenance Data Analyst for Support Equipment, Cryogenics, Flight Equipment, and Inventory Material Readiness List occupational fields where he created the initial Training and Readiness Standards. He was promoted to First Sergeant 1 October 2018.
January 2019, he reported to Company D, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion, as the Inspector-Instructor (I-I) First Sergeant. While at 4th LAR he served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the I-I, I-I Staff, and Company First Sergeant. On August 1, 2019, he assumed Command in the absence of an I-I to assist the Company Commander for 3 months. In May 2021, he earned his bachelor's degree in business and management and was inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society for scholastic excellence in maintaining a 4.0 Grade Point Average.
In January 2022 he transferred to Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC, where he has held the billets of Company 1stSgt for Truck Company until January 2023 and Headquarters Company until December 2023.
He currently serves as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Cherry Point, NC.
Sergeant Major Burnette's personal awards include: the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5th award), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.