Sergeant Major
SgtMaj Kitashima
Sergeant Major Kitashima graduated from Culver Academy in 1994, and received an Associate’s Degree from Vincennes University in 1996. She enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 1996 and attended 4th Recruit Training Battalion, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion of recruit training Private First Class Kitashima attended the Military Police School in Fort McClellan, Alabama. Following graduation in 1996, Private First Class Kitashima was assigned to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan.
After completing her tour of duty in Okinawa, Lance Corporal Kitashima reported to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Camp Lejeune North Carolina in January 1998. While assigned there Lance Corporal Kitashima served as a Military Police Officer. In May of 1998, Cpl Kitashima received orders to report to School of Infantry East, Marine Combat Training Battalion for duty at a Marine Combat Instructor. Upon completion of initial training Corporal Kitashima was assigned to Hotel Company as a Combat Instructor in May 1998. In December 1999, Sergeant Kitashima was assigned to Headquarters and Support Company to serve in the Instructor Group as a Primary Instructor for the Crew Served Weapons Package.
In May 2001, Sergeant Kitashima was assigned to the Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, California, where she served as a Patrol Supervisor for the Provost Marshals Office through September of 2002. In September 2002 Sergeant Kitashima deployed with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 to Bagram, Afghanistan, in support of VMA-513 during Operation Enduring Freedom. Staff Sergeant Kitashima returned from Afghanistan in September 2003 and continued her duties as a Patrol Supervisor for the Provost Marshals Office.
In May 2004, Staff Sergeant Kitashima reported for duty to The School of Infantry West, Marine Combat Instructor Course. In July 2004, Staff Sergeant Kitashima was assigned to Fox Company for duty as a Platoon Commander. In February 2005, Staff Sergeant Kitashima was reassigned to the Headquarters Company, Instructor Group to serve as the Weapons Section Leader, she remained there until executing orders to 2nd Marine Logistics Group in April of 2007.
Upon reporting to 2nd Marine Logistics Group in April of 2007, Gunnery Sergeant Kitashima was assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment -27, Military Police Company whom she deployed with to Al Taqaddum, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In July 2008, Gunnery Sergeant Kitashima was assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 22 and deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit as the Military Police Chief and Operations Chief. In January 2010, First Sergeant Kitashima redeployed to Haiti with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operation Unified Response.
In June 2010, First Sergeant Kitashima reported to The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia for duties as the Combat Service Support Company First Sergeant. In September of 2012, First Sergeant Kitashima assumed duties as the Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant, Instructor Battalion, The Basic School. In April 2013, First Sergeant Kitashima assumed the duties as the Company First Sergeant for Delta Company Basic Officer Course 4-13 until January 2014, when she assumed duties as Company First Sergeant for Warfighting Instructor Company. She was frocked to her current rank in April 2014.
In June 2014, Sergeant Major Kitashima reported to Marine Air Control Squadron 4 where she currently serves as the Squadron Sergeant Major.
Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal in lieu of one gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal in lieu of two stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in lieu of two stars, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal lieu of five stars, National Defense Medal, and various campaign and unit awards.