MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- First Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, welcomed their new battalion sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. George W. Young, and bid farewell to Sgt. Maj. Gary W. Weiser in a post and relief ceremony held Monday on the Combat Center’s parade field.
Prior to the post and relief ceremony, Weiser received a Bronze Star Medal for his leadership as 1/7 battalion sergeant major in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from October 2003 to April 2005.
Weiser has been the 1/7 battalion sergeant major since October 2003 and deployed with the unit from August 2004 to March 2005. Weiser will assume the sergeant major position at 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion.
“This is an exceptional unit to be a part of,” said Weiser, speaking of 1/7. “I’m very proud I had the opportunity to lead these great Marines. They made it easy.”
In Young’s last assignment, he was a first sergeant with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, since 2001. While serving as an amphibious assault vehicle platoon commander of 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion from 1997 to 2001, Young deployed three times to the Far East. In 1996, he deployed to the Mediterranean with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as a platoon sergeant of 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment.
Among other assignments early in his career, Young served as a drill instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., and served as a section leader and crew chief while assigned with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion.
Young was the honor graduate from his class in Mechanized Assault Amphibian School and the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Advanced Course. He has received the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal with four gold stars.
“One-seven is the premier,” said Young. “I am very happy to post as the new sergeant major of this great battalion.”