Sergeant Major Eric Darmstadt enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1992 following graduation from Fort Pierce Central High School in Fort Pierce, Florida. In December 1992, he attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC. Upon completion of recruit training and Marine Combat Training, he attended the Small Arms Repairman Course in Aberdeen, MD where he earned the military occupational specialty of 2111.
Sergeant Major Darmstadt served as a Battalion Armorer for 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines and 2nd Battalion 4th Marines. During this tour, he completed two deployments with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). From 1997 to 2000 he served as the Armory Chief for Marine Corps Security Force Company Kings Bay, GA.
From August 2000 to September 2004, Sergeant Major Darmstadt served as the Battalion Armory Chief for 1st Supply Battalion, 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, and 1st Battalion 5th Marines During this tour, Sergeant Major Darmstadt completed another deployment with the 31st MEU and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II. On his second deployment to Iraq, he served as the unit’s detention center staff non-commissioned officer in charge.
In October 2004, Staff Sergeant Darmstadt was transferred to Aberdeen, MD to serve as a formal school instructor for the small arms repairman course. He held the billets of instructor, master instructor, and course manager.
In July 2007, Sergeant Major Darmstadt received orders to report to Combat Logistics Regiment 27, Camp Lejeune NC for duty as the Regimental Armory Chief. During this tour, Sergeant Major Darmstadt received orders to report to Military Transition Team 0100 for duty as a logistics chief. He completed a one year deployment to Iraq and was attached to the 1st Iraqi Army Division.
In April 2010, Sergeant Major Darmstadt was assigned to Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He served as the Inspector Instructor First Sergeant and Company First Sergeant. In August 2013, First Sergeant Darmstadt transferred to Combat Logistics Regiment 3, Okinawa, Japan, where he held the billets of Company First Sergeant for General Support Motor Transport Company and Battalion Sergeant Major for 3D Transportation Support Battalion.
In March 2015, Sergeant Major Darmstadt was assigned as the Sergeant Major for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Okinawa, Japan until April 2016. In April 2016 he was assigned as the Battalion Sergeant Major for Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, Kings Bay, Georgia. He assumed his current duties as the Battalion Sergeant Major for Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations West – Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California on 20 June 2019.
His personal awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2 gold stars, Combat Action Ribbon, and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 gold stars.