Master Sergeant Marcus L. Alford was selected to attend the United States Sergeants Major Academy Class 64. This is the pinnacle promotion for enlisted members in the U.S. Army. He is the son of Bessie Crawford of Little Rock, SC. He graduated with Dillon High School Class of 1992. He entered the U.S. Army in June 1992 at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and completed Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN as a Human Resources Specialist, 42A.
MSG Alford’s assignments include: 2/7th Infantry Battalion (CAV), Fort Hood, Texas; 304th Signal Battalion, Korea; 204th Military Intelligence Battalion, Orlando, Florida; 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas; HHC, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea; 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; 1st Recruiting Brigade, Fort Meade, MD; Military Transition Team, Afghanistan, the First Sergeant of B Co, TSB, which supports the Recruiting and Retention School, and he is currently the Human Resources NCOIC of 52d Ordnance Group (EOD). MSG Alford has 4 combat deployments to Afghanistan.
MSG Alford’s military and civilian education includes: First Sergeant’s Course, 42A Senior and Advanced Leader’s Courses, Warrior Leader’s Course, Manpower and Force Management Course, Battle Staff Course, Army Retention Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Military Transition Training Course, Special Operations Training Course, Airborne School, and Air Assault School. MSG Alford has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management from Columbia Southern University, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management.
MSG Alford’s military awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, Korea Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 4 campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 3, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
He is married to Renee Alford and they have one daughter, Desiree (10).