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MCAS Futenma - Leadership
Sergeant Major, MCAS Futenma
Sgt. Maj. Jeffery J. Vandentop

SgtMaj Vandentop graduated from Upland High School in Upland, California.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps and reported to MCRD, San Diego on 23 October 1995 for recruit training. Upon his graduation as a Private First Class in January 1996 he reported to Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton and then attended his MOS school of Basic Supply Course at Camp Johnson, North Carolina from March 1996 to October 1996.

In November 1996, Private First Class Vandentop reported for duty to 4th Tank Battalion, San Diego California where he held the billet of Fiscal Clerk. During this tour PFC Vandentop completed a deployment to Norway in Support of exercise Battle Griffin and was promoted to Lance Corporal on 1 December 1996 and meritoriously promoted to Corporal on 2 October 1997.

In May 1999, Corporal Vandentop reported for I-I duty to 4th Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Pasadena Ca where he held the billet of Supply Clerk and Supply Chief. While serving with 4th Low Altitude Air Defense, Sergeant Vandentop attended Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE) School in October 1999 and the Ground Supply Chiefs Course in February 2002.

In September 2003, Sergeant Vandentop reported to Drill Instructor School, MCRD San Diego. Upon graduation in December, He was assigned to I Company, 3d Recruit Training Battalion and Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion where he held the billets of Drill Instructor, Close Combat Instructor and Martial Arts Training Facility SNCOIC. Sergeant Vandentop attended Martial Arts Instructor Course in June 2004, Martial Arts Instructor Trainer Course, Close Combat Instructor Course and Combat Conditioning Specialist Course in February 2006 and the Static Rope Suspension Trainer (SRST) Master Course in June 2006. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in April 2006.

In February 2007, Staff Sgt Vandentop reported to I MEF Headquarters Group and filled the billets of Company Gunnery Sergeant, Civil Affairs Team SNCOIC and Corporal's Course Chief Instructor.  From January 2008 to February 2009 he deployed with the Civil Affairs Group as the SNCOIC and Pay Agent to Fallujah, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In October 2nd 2008 he was combat meritoriously promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.  From January 2010 to January 2011 he deployed as Company Gunnery Sergeant to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In May 2011, Gunnery Sergeant Vandentop reported to Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCRD San Diego for duty as Supply Chief and Company Gunnery Sergeant.  He was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant in April 2012 and attended the First Sergeants course.

In May 2012, First Sergeant Vandentop reported for duty to Marine Corps Communications Electronic School, Twentynine Palms California for duty as Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant and Air Control Training Squadron Sergeant Major.

In February 2015, First Sergeant Vandentop reported for duty to 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division where he held the billet Company First Sergeant for E, C and H&S Company. In November 2015 1stSgt Vandentop completed a unit deployment program with AAV Company to Okinawa, Japan and was attached to Combat Assault Battalion, 3d Marine Division.  During this period he supported exercises in Korea, Cobra Gold 15, Balikitan 15 in support of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and 3d Marine Division.  He was frocked to the rank of Sergeant Major in March 2017.

In May 2017, Sergeant Major Vandentop assumed the duties as Battalion Sergeant Major, 3d Transportation Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3d Marine Logistics Group, Okinawa, Japan.  During this tour he supported a wide spectrum of exercises across the Indo-Pacific area of operations to include Freedom Banner, Ssang Yong, Korean Military Exchange Program, Balikitan, Cobra Gold as well as support to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

In May 2019, SgtMaj Vandentop reported to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing as the Squadron Sergeant Major.  In October 2020 he deployed on the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit as the Aviation Combat Element SgtMaj in support of Operation Octave Quartz in Somalia, Freedom's Sentinel and Inherent Resolve in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In July 2021 he assumed the duties as Regimental Sergeant Major, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.  During this tour he supported a wide spectrum of exercises in support of 1st Marine Division.

In April 2023 he assumed his current duty as the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Sergeant Major.

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (5th award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5th award) and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Marine Corps Air Station Futenma