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Sergeant Major Cece enlisted in the Marine Corps on 4 August 1986, and attended recruit training at MCRD San Diego, California. He graduated as Platoon and Series Honor man, and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class. PFC Cece then attended the Basic Combat Engineer School at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Upon completion, he was assigned to 3d Combat Engineer Battalion, 3d Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan for duty as a Combat Engineer. In March 1988, LCpl Cece reported to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st FSSG, Camp Pendleton, CA, where he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal. In August 1990, Cpl Cece deployed to Saudi Arabia to participate in OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM, where he served as a fire team leader for Bravo Company, 7th ESB. In January 1992, he transferred to 3d Combat Engineer Battalion, Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. In June of that same year, he attended the NCO Leadership Course and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In December 1992, Sgt Cece deployed to Somalia as an Engineer Platoon Sergeant in support of OPERATION RESTORE HOPE. After returning, he attended the Summer Mountain Leaders Course in Bridgeport, CA. In April 1994, he attended Drill Instructor school at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, graduating in the top 4% of class 3-94. While assigned to 1st Battalion, he served as an Assistant and Senior Drill Instructor. In August 1996, he returned to 7th ESB, 1st FSSG, Camp Pendleton and served as a Platoon Sergeant and Company Gunnery Sergeant. In January 1997, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and attended the Winter Mountain Leaders Course in Bridgeport, CA. In December of 1998, SSgt Cece was assigned to the SNCO Academy Okinawa, Japan for duty as an Instructor/Faculty Advisor for the Sergeant's Course, Career Course, and Advanced Course. In January 2000, he attended the Air Force NCO Academy, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. While at the Career Course, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and served as the Chief Instructor. In April 2002 he transferred to 9th ESB, 3d FSSG and served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant for Alpha Company, Bulk Fuel Company, and H&S Company. While there, he was selected for promotion to the rank of First Sergeant and in May 2004, he assumed the duties as the First Sergeant of General Support Maintenance Company, 3d Materiel Readiness Battalion, 3d FSSG. In June 2005, he transferred back to Camp Pendleton to serve as the Company First Sergeant for Company G, 2d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. While with 2/5, he deployed to the Far East with the 31st MEU (SOC), then the following year, deployed to Iraq in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 06-08. He was promoted to his current rank of Sergeant Major in January 2008 and reported to Marine Corps Base, Hawaii where he served as the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Sergeant Major. In December 2009, he transferred to the 3d Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division where he presently serves as Battalion Sergeant Major. While in service of 3/3, he deployed on May 2010 to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDOURING FREEDOM 10.1. Sergeant Major Cece's personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal w/ Gold Star (in lieu of 2nd award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ Gold Star (in lieu of 2nd award), the Joint Services Achievement Medal w/Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (in lieu of 2nd award), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon with 2 Gold Stars (in lieu of 3rd award), the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal. |
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Last updated 7 July 2011 |
