Sergeant Major Michael P. Woods is a native of Kansas City, Missouri. He earned the title Marine at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California; completed Marine Combat Training in Camp Pendleton, California; and was assigned the military occupational specialty of 1812 at the Basic Ml Al Tank Crewman’s Course in Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Sergeant Major Woods served as a tank driver and loader with Company B, 2d Tank Battalion. He deployed as a tank gunner with Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1st Battalion, 8th Marines and participated in Operations DECISIVE ENDEAVOR, SILVER WAKE, and GUARDIAN RETRIEVAL. He deployed as a tank commander with BLT 3d Battalion, 6th Marines and participated in Operations JOINT GUARD and SOUTHERN WATCH/DESERT THUNDER. He deployed twice as a tank platoon sergeant; participating in Operations IRAQI FREEDOM 1 and 4-6/5-7. He served as a Company Gunnery Sergeant, First Sergeant, and intermittently as an acting tank platoon commander in 2d Tank Battalion.

As a First Sergeant he deployed to Afghanistan with 3d Battalion, 7th Marines and participated in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 10-1 in Company K and Headquarters and Service Company. As a Sergeant Major he deployed with BLT 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit; again with 2d Battalion, 7th Marines to Afghanistan to participate in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 12-2/13-1; and as the Sergeant Major of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa 15-2. He also served as the Sergeant Major of 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion; the 6th Marine Regiment; the 2d Marine Division; U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa; III Marine Expeditionary Force, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. He currently serves as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of U.S. Africa Command.

Sergeant Major Woods additionally served as a Marine Security Guard in Rangoon, Burma; Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Water Survival Section in Parris Island, South Carolina; and First Sergeant of Company B, Marine Barracks Washington, District of Columbia.

His personal decorations include; Legion of Merit with three gold stars; Bronze Star Medal with “V” and one gold star; Meritorious Service Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “V” and one gold star; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with “V” and two gold stars; and the Combat Action Ribbon with one gold star.