Sergeant Major Paris Skidmore hails from Harlan County, Kentucky. He enlisted out of London, Kentucky, in September 2003, attending recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon graduation, he attended school at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, where he earned the MOS of 7051 Crash Fire and Rescue Specialist.
In July 2004, Sergeant Major Skidmore began his first operational assignment at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, serving as an Aircraft Firefighting and Rescue Specialist. His next assignment came in October 2005, when he was reassigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In August 2006, he was reassigned to Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, where he was assigned as a P-26 Water Tanker Operator and Crew Chief. Seeking to further develop his technical skillset, he executed a lateral move in March 2008 to become a 1316 Marine Corps Welder, attending school at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. He was subsequently assigned to 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion, where he served as the Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge (NCOIC) of the Weld and Machine Shop.
In October 2009, he requested to serve a special duty assignment as a Drill Instructor and reported to Drill Instructor School, Class 1-10, at MCRD Parris Island. Upon graduation, he was assigned to 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, where he served as Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor for Company H. His follow-on assignment was to Instructional Training Company in April 2011, where he served as a Combat Water Survival Instructor Trainer.
In January 2013, he was assigned to 2d Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he served as Platoon Sergeant for General Support Maintenance Company. He later deployed with Combat Logistics Battalion 2 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon his return, he assumed additional responsibilities as the Welding Shop Chief and Company Gunnery Sergeant.
In April 2015, he requested to return to special duty at Officer Candidates School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia, where he served as a Platform Instructor, Sergeant Instructor, Platoon Sergeant, and Physical Training Chief. During this assignment, he attended the Martial Arts Center of Excellence earning additional military occupational specialties of Martial Arts Instructor Trainer (0916/0917).
In October 2018, he transferred to 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, in Okinawa, Japan. There, he served as the Engineer Platoon Operations Chief and Company Gunnery Sergeant for Headquarters Company, directly supporting major exercises including Northern Viper and ITX 1-21. In January 2021, he was selected to serve as the Plans Chief for Task Force Safeguard, contributing to joint COVID-19 operations. He returned to 4th Marines in April 2021 to assume duties as the Substance Abuse Control Officer.
In October 2021, he returned stateside and was assigned to 2d Maintenance Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. There, he served as Company First Sergeant across multiple units, including Engineer Maintenance Company, Tactical Maintenance Company, Electronics Maintenance Company, and Headquarters and Service Company.
On 10 July 2025, Sergeant Major Skidmore was promoted to his current rank and assumed duties as the Sergeant Major for the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit, Cherry Point.
His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a Gold Star in lieu of second award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.