Biographies

Sergeant Major Zickefoose  is the former SOUTHCOM Command Senior Enlisted Leader on Jan. 6, 2017.

Sergeant Major Zickefoose, a native of the Midwest, graduated from Millard North High School in 1985. In addition to numerous military schools he is also a graduate of the Basic Airborne Course, Scout Sniper Course, Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, Career Course, Advanced Course, and Joint Enlisted Professional Military Education (Keystone). He has two children, Dakota and Tia.

Sergeant Major Zickefoose is an Infantryman and has served in every U.S. Marine Corps infantry billet from Rifleman to Senior Enlisted Advisor. He has deployed 11 times and has served in numerous combat engagements in Somalia, Kosovo, Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. He has also served in the Marine Security Forces, as a Drill Instructor, Sergeant Instructor at Officer Candidate’s School, Chief Instructor/Staff Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge of the Scout Sniper Instructor School, and on recruiting duty.

As a Noncommissioned Officer, he served in 3d Battalion, 9th Marines during Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Restore Hope, and numerous Joint Task Force-6 Operations and at Joint Task Force- Bravo.

As a Staff Sergeant and senior staff noncommissioned officer, he served in 2d Battalion, 6th Marines and deployed to Kosovo, and in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He was also a member of the Personnel Security Detail for President Karzai.
 
As a Sergeant Major, he served as a recruiting station Sergeant Major, 1st Marines and Regimental Combat Team 1 Sergeant Major, 2d Marine Division Sergeant Major and II Marine Expeditionary Force Sergeant Major. He is currently serving as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader, United States Southern Command. His personal awards include: the Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit with 1 gold star, Bronze Star Medal with 1 Gold Star and 1 Combat Distinguishing Device, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Gold Star, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 1 Gold Star, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 1 Gold Star, and the Combat Action Ribbon with 3 Gold Stars.