Sergeant Major Melisa Y. Cancienne, a native of Deerfield Beach, Florida, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and graduated recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, in December 2004. 
 
In March 2005, upon completion of Correctional Specialist School, Cancienne reported to Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California.  She was assigned to a security platoon where she worked as a security guard.  In October 2006, she attended Corporals Course where she received the Gung-Ho award.  In February 2007, she attended Martial Arts Instructor Course and in March 2008, attended Correctional Counselor School. 
 
In February 2009, Cancienne made a lateral move to air traffic control and reported to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, California, where she worked as an on-the-job training instructor and crew chief.  In September 2010, she attended Sergeants Course where she graduated in the top 10 percent. 
 
In October 2011, Cancienne reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, for Drill Instructor School and graduated in December 2011 as the class honor graduate.  In February 2012, she reported to Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, and reported to the Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival (MCIWS) course.  Upon graduation, she returned back to Papa Company where she worked as a drill instructor and senior drill instructor.  In May 2013, she reported to Water Survival Section, Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion, where she worked as a MCIWS, team leader, chief MCITWS instructor, deputy family readiness officer, and was named Support Battalion’s Drill Instructor of the Year 2013.  In April 2014, she reported back to Papa Company where she worked as a chief drill instructor. 
 
In February 2015, Cancienne reported to Detachment Bravo, Marine Air Control Squadron (MACS) 4, Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 18, Iwakuni, Japan, and deployed as an assistant air traffic control mobile team leader with the 31st MEU aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) out of Okinawa, Japan.  She conducted sustainment training in Australia, Guam, and Ie Shima, Japan.  In July 2016, she conducted duties as a tower liaison officer in support of AASE 16.2 in Clark Air Base, Philippines.  As a member of the Fleet Assistance Program with H&HS, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, she served as crew chief and squadron gunnery sergeant. 
 
In February 2018, Cancienne reported to H&HS, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, where she held billets as a crew chief, air traffic control senior non-commissioned officer in charge, and assistant senior enlisted advisor.  In April 2018, she attended Advanced School in which she graduated as class honor graduate.  In June 2019, Cancienne reported to Region 9, Marine Corps Embassy Security Group and performed as the region first sergeant serving Marines in 21 Detachments and 16 countries. 
 
In June 2022, Cancienne reported to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeuene, North Carolina, and assumed the duties of battalion sergeant major. 
 
She currently serves as the senior enlisted leader at Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit New River, North Carolina. 
 
Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), and numerous other personal and unit awards.
 

Last Updated: 13 April 2023