​            Michael J. Hendges

                                                    

Memorial Day Ceremony Speaker                                              

Big Bear Lake Veterans Park                                                  

  

​Born in North Carolina Michael Hendges enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1992, and attended 3rd Recruit Training Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island South Carolina. After Graduation he was assigned to Lima Battery 3rd Battalion 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division for duty as an artillery cannoneer and section chief. In April of 1993 he deployed on a scheduled UDP to Okinawa, Japan. In April of 1994 he deployed in support of operations Able Vigil and Able Manner. In September of 1995 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  He then transferred to India Battery 3rd Battalion 10th Marines for duty as a section chief. 

In January of 1997 Hendges transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot for duty as a Drill Instructor with Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion.  In June of 1998 he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and reassigned to HQ Company 3rd RTBn for duty as the Battalion Drill Master.  In January of 2000 he was reassigned to Kilo Company for duty as a Series Gunnery Sergeant.  Sergeant Hendges was meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in January of 2001.

Also, in January of 2001 he transferred to India Battery, 3rd Battalion 10th Marines 2nd Marine Division for duty as a Battery Gunnery Sergeant. In February of 2003 while assigned to I 3/10 he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I.

In January of 2004 he transferred to Golf Battery, 2nd Battalion 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division for duty as the Battery First Sergeant.  In February of 2004 while assigned to G 2/10 he deployed with 22 MEU to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  He was promoted to First Sergeant on 1 August 2004.

First Sergeant was transferred in May of 2005, to Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division for duty as the Company First Sergeant.  In December of 2005 he transferred to Delta Company, 2nd AA Bn for duty as a Company First Sergeant. 

In March of 2006 while assigned to Company D he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom IV. 

In March of 2007 he transferred to Charlie Company, 2nd AA Bn for duty as a Company First Sergeant. Again in August of 2007 Sergeant Hendges transferred to Delta Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry West, Camp Pendleton for duty as a Company First Sergeant.

He was promoted to Sergeant Major April of 2008 and soon after in June of 2008, Sergeant Major Hendges transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Camp Pendleton for duty as Squadron Sergeant Major.         

In September of 2009 while assigned to MWSS 372 he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 09.2.

In February of 2011 he transferred to Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Camp Pendleton for duty as Battalion Sergeant Major.  In October of 2011 while assigned to CLB-1 he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 11.2.

Battalion Sergeant Major Hendges transferred in June of 2012 to Combat Logistics Regiment 3, Camp Foster, Okinawa for duty as Regimental Sergeant Major. In June of 2014 he transferred to 3d Marine Logistics Group, Camp Kinser, Okinawa for duty as the Group Sergeant Major.

Sergeant Major Hendges, in May of 2016 transferred to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-nine Palms, California for duty as the MAGTFTC / MCAGCC Sergeant Major.

Hendges personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2 Combat Distinguishing Devices (5th award), Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon (2nd award), Good Conduct medal (8th award), Sea Service Deployment ribbon (10th award) and the Drill Instructor ribbon.