{{Short description|United States Marine (born 1969)}} {{Infobox military person | name = Troy Black | image = SEAC Troy E. Black (2).jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Black in 2023 | nickname = | birth_place = Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.<ref name="USNI">{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2019/07/29/sgt-maj-troy-black-takes-over-as-top-enlisted-marine|title=Sgt. Maj. Troy Black Takes Over as Top Enlisted Marine|date=July 29, 2019|accessdate=August 2, 2019|website=USNI News}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|4|21|df=y}} | death_date = | death_place = | burial_place = | allegiance = United States | branch = United States Marine Corps | service_years = 1988–2025<ref name="DVIDS">{{cite web |title=Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black Retirement Ceremony |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/9124847/sgt-maj-troy-e-black-retirement-ceremony |website=DVIDS |publisher=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service |access-date=June 21, 2025}}</ref> | rank = Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman | service_number = | unit = | commands = | battles = Gulf War<br/>Iraq War<br/>War in Afghanistan<ref name="Mil-4-19">{{Cite web|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/04/25/next-marine-sergeant-major-ran-across-ied-filled-ground-reach-fallen-comrade.html|title=Next Marine Sergeant Major Ran Across IED-Filled Ground to Reach Fallen Comrade|date=April 25, 2019|author=Harkins, Gina|access-date=August 2, 2019}}</ref> | awards = Defense Distinguished Service Medal<br/>Navy Distinguished Service Medal<br/>Legion of Merit (3)<br/>Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device<ref name="Mil-4-19" /> | relations = | other_work = | module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Opening Statement of SMMC Troy E. Black at a HASC Subcommittee Hearing.ogg|title=Troy E. Black's voice|type=speech|description=Black's opening statement at a House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee hearing on the state of enlisted personnel<br/>Recorded March 9, 2023}} }} '''Troy E. Black''' (born April 21, 1969) is a retired staff non-commissioned officer of the United States Marine Corps and served as the 5th Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman (SEAC) from November 3, 2023, to June 20, 2025. In his role as SEAC, Black was the most senior enlisted member of the United States military. He previously served as the 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps from July 26, 2019, to August 10, 2023.
==Early life== Black is a native of Louisville, Kentucky<ref name="USNI" /> and a 1987 graduate of Jeffersontown High School.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SMMC Visits Hometown MCJROTC |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6915483/smmc-visits-hometown-mcjrotc |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=DVIDS |language=en}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}
==Military career== Black entered U.S. Marine recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in April 1988, graduating in July 1988. In October 1988, he graduated from the United States Marine Corps School of Infantry at Camp Geiger in North Carolina and received the military occupational specialty of 0331-Machine Gunner.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SGT. MAJ. TROY E. BLACK |url=https://www.marines.mil/CM/Biographies/Bio-Display/Article/2478664/sgt-maj-troy-e-black/ |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=www.marines.mil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325051637/https://www.marines.mil/CM/Biographies/Bio-Display/Article/2478664/sgt-maj-troy-e-black/ |archive-date=2023-03-25 |language=en-US}}</ref>
In December 1988, Black graduated the Marine Security Force School and was posted to the Marine Detachment aboard the {{USS|Forrestal|CV-59}} that deployed in 1989 in support of Operation Just Cause and to the Mediterranean. From September 1990 to 1993 he was posted to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, serving in successive capacities of gunner, team leader, section leader, platoon sergeant, and platoon commander.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} In December 1990, Black deployed with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Shield and later Operation Desert Storm. In 1993, he completed the U.S. Army Basic Airborne Course at the U.S. Army Airborne School.
Between 1994 and 1997, Black served at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island as a drill instructor and then a senior drill instructor. From 1997 to 2000, he was assigned to a Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team, serving as a platoon sergeant, operations chief, and then a platoon commander. In 2000, Black returned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, where over the next three years he served as a senior drill instructor, Drill Instructor School instructor, and Recruit Training Regiment drill master.
thumb|left|Black is sworn in as the 5th SEAC on November 3, 2023.
Between 2003 and 2006, he served in the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines as a company gunnery sergeant and then as a first sergeant, deploying twice to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Between 2006 and 2007, Black served as a company first sergeant in the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion. From 2007 to 2009, he served as a sergeant major at Officer Candidates School. Black served as the sergeant major of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines from 2009 to 2011, deploying twice to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In 2010, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for running through uncleared territory to rescue a fallen comrade hit by an improvised explosive device. From 2011 to 2013, Black served as the sergeant major of Combat Logistics Battalion 5. He served as the sergeant major of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit from 2013 to 2015. Following that, Black served as the sergeant major of the 1st Marine Logistics Group from 2015 to 2017. He was named Sergeant Major of Manpower and Reserve Affairs in 2017. On April 25, 2019, Black was named the 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps and assumed the post on July 26, 2019.<ref name="MCT-2019">{{cite web|url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2019/04/25/marines-name-next-sergeant-major-of-the-corps/|title=Marines name next sergeant major of the Corps|accessdate=August 2, 2019|date=April 25, 2019|author=South, Todd|publisher=Marine Corps Times}}</ref>
In July 2023, Black was selected to serve as the fifth senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.<ref name="United States Department of Defense">{{cite web|url=https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3451810/senior-enlisted-advisor-to-the-chairman-announcement/|title=Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Announcement|date=2023-07-07|access-date=2023-07-08|website=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref> He assumed office on November 3, 2023.<ref name="United States Department of Defense"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Garamone|first=Jim|url=https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3451762/milley-names-troy-e-black-as-senior-enlisted-advisor-to-the-chairman/|title=Milley Names Troy E. Black as Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman|date=2023-07-07|access-date=2023-07-08|website=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref> In April 2025, newly appointed CJCS General Dan Caine chose not to renew Black's posting for another two years.<ref>{{cite web |last=Toropin |first=Konstantin |title=Joint Chiefs Chairman Caine Decides Not to Keep Senior Enlisted Adviser, Breaking with Past Precedent |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/04/21/joint-chiefs-chairman-caine-decides-not-keep-senior-enlisted-adviser-breaking-past-precedent.html |website=Military.com |date=April 21, 2025 |access-date=June 22, 2025}}</ref> Black completed a single two-year term and retired on June 20, 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black, Retirement Ceremony |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/9124847/sgt-maj-troy-e-black-retirement-ceremony |website=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service |date=2025-06-20 |access-date=2025-06-22}}</ref>
==Awards and decorations== {| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |- |colspan="4" align="center" |120px |- |colspan="4"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106px}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106px}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon with "V" device, 3rd award.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=award-star|other_device=nv|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat Action Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=U.S. Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 1st award.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=9|type=service-star|ribbon=U.S. Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016), 3rd award.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Humanitarian Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=8|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=U.S. Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=NATO Medal ribbon (Non-Article 5).svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |colspan="2" align="center"|150px |colspan="2" align="center"|150px |- |colspan="4" align="center"|120px |- |} {| class="wikitable" |- |colspan="8" align="center" |Basic Parachutist Insignia |- |colspan="4" align="center"|Defense Distinguished Service Medal |colspan="4" align="center"|Navy Distinguished Service Medal |- |colspan="2" align="center"|Legion of Merit with two gold award stars |colspan="2" align="center"|Bronze Star w/ 1 award star & Combat V |colspan="2" align="center"|Meritorious Service Medal w/ 2 award stars |colspan="2" align="center"|Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ valor device & 3 award stars |- |colspan="2" align="center"|Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 award star |colspan="2" align="center"|Combat Action Ribbon w/ 2 award stars |colspan="2" align="center"|Joint Meritorious Unit Award |colspan="2" align="center"|Navy Unit Commendation w/ 3 bronze service stars |- |colspan="2" align="center"|Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 1 service star |colspan="2" align="center"|Navy E Ribbon |colspan="2" align="center"|Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal w/ 9 service stars |colspan="2" align="center"|National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star |- |colspan="2" align="center"|Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |colspan="2" align="center"|Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ 3 campaign stars |colspan="2" align="center"|Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 2 campaign stars |colspan="2" align="center"|Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 2 campaign stars |- |colspan="2" align="center"|Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal w/ 1 service star |colspan="2" align="center"|Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |colspan="2" align="center"|Humanitarian Service Medal |colspan="2" align="center"|Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 8 service stars |- |colspan="2" align="center"|Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon w/ 2 service stars |colspan="2" align="center"|NATO Medal for Service with ISAF |colspan="2" align="center"|Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) |colspan="2" align="center"|Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) |- |colspan="4" align="center"|Rifle Expert Badge (6th Award) |colspan="4" align="center"|Pistol Expert Badge (9th Award) |- |colspan="8" align="center"|Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |} * 8 service stripes.<ref name="MCT-2019" />
==References== {{Commons category}} {{reflist}}
{{s-start}} {{s-mil}} {{s-bef|before=Ronald L. Green}} {{s-ttl|title=Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps|years=2019–2023}} {{s-aft|after=Carlos A. Ruiz}} |- {{s-bef|before=Ramón Colón-López}} {{s-ttl|title=Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman|years=2023–2025|name=Troy E. Black}} {{s-aft|after=David L. Isom}} {{s-end}}
{{CMC}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Black, Troy E.}} Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Gulf War Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:Living people Category:Military personnel from Louisville, Kentucky Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps Category:1969 births Category:United States Marine Corps non-commissioned officers