Sergeant Major Edward C. Kretschmer
Sergeant Major Edward C. Kretschmer is a native Wyandotte, Michigan. He graduated from Southgate Anderson High School, Southgate, MI in June of 1992.
He enlisted in August 3, 1993 and subsequently attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon graduation of Recruit Training, he attended Marine Corps Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Upon graduation, he received orders to Albany, Georgia for Supply Warehousemen School. Private Kretschmer was promoted to Private First Class.
From February 1994 to March 1995, Private First Class Kretschmer was promoted to lance corporal and was assigned to 3d Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan where he served as a Warehouseman. From May 1995 to September 1998, Lance Cpl. Kretschmer was assigned to Assault Amphibian Schools Battalion where he served on the Color Guard and was meritoriously promoted to corporal. From October 1998 to March 1999, Cpl. Kretschmer was assigned to 1st Force Service Support Group (FSSG) where he served as a Warehouse Chief and Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Marksmanship Training Unit and was promoted to Sergeant.
From March 1999 to November 1999, Sgt. Kretschmer was assigned to 1st Supply Battalion where he served as a Warehouse Chief.
In January 2000, Sgt. Kretschmer received orders to MCRD San Diego for Drill Instructor duty. While at MCRD, he served as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor. Sgt. Kretschmer was the Drill Instructor of the Quarter for FY-03 and subsequently promoted to staff sergeant in November 2002.
In June 2003, Staff Sgt. Kretschmer received orders to 3d FSSG, Service Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion where he served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant. In September 2004, he was assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 3d Maintenance Battalion where he served as the Warehouse Chief.
From May 2005 to June 2006 Kretschmer was individual augmented to 2d FSSG for assignment to Iraq where he served as the Staff NCOIC of the night crew in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In June 2006, Staff Sergeant Kretschmer was promoted to gunnery sergeant. Gunnery Sgt. Kretschmer was assigned to Marine Corps University (MCU) as a Faculty Advisor, Chief Instructor at the Sergeant’s Course. He also served as a Chief Instructor and Staff NCOIC of the Career Course. While serving at the MCU, Gunnery Sgt. Kretschmer received his Basic Instructor and Senior Instructor qualifications. Kretschmer was the Instructor of the Year for MCU in Okinawa, Japan.
From June 2009 to September 2009, Gunnery Sgt. Kretschmer was assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 2 as a Warehouse Chief. He served as the Company
Gunnery Sergeant for CLB 6, Alpha Company during his deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom from September 2009 to May 2010. From May 2010 to January 2011, Gunnery Sgt. Kretschmer served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant for General Support Transport Company, 2d Marine Logistics Group.
In January 2011, First Sergeant Kretschmer received orders to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion where he was the First Sergeant for Echo Company. Once Echo Company disbanded, 1st Sgt. Kretschmer was assigned to Delta Company. First Sergeant Kretschmer successfully completed the First Sergeant’s course and the E-8 Seminar.
From July 2012 to December 2013, First Sergeant Kretschmer deployed with Brigade Advisor Team 2/215 as the Senior Enlisted Advisor in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In February 2014, 1st Sgt. Kretschmer received orders to Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow and was assigned as the Headquarters Battalion First Sergeant where he served until January 2016. During this time, 1st Sgt. Kretschmer was also a member of the Mounted Color Guard - the only one in the Marine Corps. He represented the Marine Corps in many different parades and ceremonies all over the United States.
During February 2016, Kretschmer attended the Sergeants Major course. Concurrently, he completed his bachelor’s degree studies and received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration with a Concentration in Security.
In June 2016 Sgt. Maj. Kretschmer reported to 3d Battalion, 5th Marines for duty as the Battalion Sergeant Major. As the Battalion Landing Team (BLT) sergeant major, Kretschmer deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from May 2017 to November 2017. He also served as the BLT sergeant major in support of 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, WESTPAC 19.2.
Sgt. Maj. Kretschmer is currently assigned to Marine Corps Logistics Base as the Installation Sergeant Major.
Sgt. Maj. Kretschmer’ s personal awards include Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 3 gold stars, Volunteer Service Medal with 1 bronze star, Meritorious Service Medal.