Headquarters Battalion Sergeant Major       Robert J. Butts       3d Marine Division

      Sergeant Major Butts graduated from recruit training Marine Corps Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina on 27 August 1974.  After graduation he transferred to WERS-27 2nd MAW MCAS, Cherry Point, North Carolina for duty as a Bulk Fuel Specialist.  Following this assignment, Sergeant Major Butts was transferred to "A" Company, 9th ENGRSSPT Bn 3rd FSSG Okinawa, Japan 13 July 1976.  29 October 1976 to 26 April 1977 he was sent TAD with LSU Echo 3/4 for duty as a Bulk Fuel Specialist.  During this tour he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  15 August 1978 he was transferred to CG, MCRD San Diego for Drill Instructor School and subsequently for duty as Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor.  October of 1980 after completing his tour on the drill field he was transferred to 9th ENGRSSPT Bn 3rd FSSG Okinawa, Japan for duty as Bulk Fuel Specialist.  During this tour he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.  In November 1981, Sergeant Major Butts was transferred to CG 2nd MAW Cherry Point, North Carolina for Tactical Air Field Dispensing Section Leader.  On 4 January 1983 he was transferred to Fort Lee, Virginia as a Bulk Fuel Instructor.  On 6 January 1986, Sergeant Major Butts was transferred to 9th ENGRSSPT Bn 3rd FSSG.  During this tour he served as Bulk Fuel Platoon Sergeant, Guard Chief (Camp Hansen), Director NCOBC 3rd FSSG (Camp Kinser).  Also during this tour he was promoted to GySgt in 1986 and to 1stSgt in 1991.  Upon completion of his tour in Okinawa, Sergeant Major Butts was transferred to SOI MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on 3 March 1992.  During this tour he served as the 1stSgt of "H" Company MCT, "C" Company ITB, AITC, and HQSVC Co.  On 14 May 1996 he transferred to MCRD Parris Island and served as Sergeant Major of  3rd Recruit Training Battalion until 1 June 1997.  From 1 June 1977 to 1 June 1999, he served as the Weapons and Field Training Battalion Sergeant Major.