Home > Sgt. Major

Sergeant Major Keith W. Coombs was born in Kansas City, Kan., and graduated from Noble High School, Noble, Okla. After receiving a wrestling scholarship from Adams State University in Alamosa, Co., he enlisted in the Marine Corps in August of 1986 and reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Cali. on Sept. 23, 1986, for recruit training. Upon graduation he was meritoriously promoted to private first class and after Infantry Training School at Camp Pendleton, Cali., he was meritoriously promoted to lance corporal and assumed the military occupational specialty of 0311. In March 1987, Coombs reported for duty to G Company, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines at Camp Pendleton, Cali.

In October 1991, Coombs reported to H Company, Marine Combat Training Battalion, School of Infantry (W), Camp Pendleton. In October 1993, he reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, for Drill Instructor School. In April 1996, he reported to B Company, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. In December 1998, Coombs was then reassigned to the Small Arms Weapons Instructor School at Quantico, Va. In March 2001, he was reassigned as a by name request and assumed the duties as the platoon sergeant of Interim Marine Corps Security Force Company, Bahrain. In March 2002, Coombs was reassigned back to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and assumed the first billet as the primary chief marksmanship instructor for Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

In March 2005, Coombs was assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines as the company gunnery sergeant. In March 2008, he was transferred to 3d Maintenance Battalion, Okinawa, Japan where he served as the Headquarters and Service Company first sergeant. There he was hand-selected and reassigned to deploy with 9th Engineer Support Battalion as the first sergeant for Engineer Support Company to Helmand Province, Afghanistan (OEF 10.1.). In March 2011, Coombs assumed the post as battalion sergeant major for 1st Battalion, 7th Marines and deployed to Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan (OEF 12.1). In June 2013, Coombs assumed the post as battalion sergeant major for 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

In June 2014, Coombs assumed duties as the Marine Detachment sergeant major, Fort Sill, Okla. Coombs’ personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and three gold stars in lieu of fourth award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, and the Combat Action Ribbon with three gold stars in lieu of third award.