Sgt. Maj. Justin K. Bradley enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in April 2000 and reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, in May 2000. Upon completion of recruit training, he attended the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Upon graduation, he was assigned to Alpha Company 1st Bn 3rd Marines Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

He served as a machine gunner in Weapons Platoon Co A from October 2000 until January 2004. During this period, he deployed to Okinawa, Japan, as part of the unit deployment program (UDP) on two occasions. While deployed, participated in Operation Infinite Justice as well as Operation Enduring Freedom in the southern Philippines.

In February 2004, he reported to Recruiters School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, and upon graduation was assigned to Recruiting Station Nashville, Tennessee, for duty as a canvassing recruiter. While serving as a recruiter, he enlisted over 80 applicants for service in the Marine Corps during his 36-month tour. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant on in August 2004 while serving on recruiting duty.

Upon completion of the recruiting tour in December 2006, Sgt. Bradley was assigned to 3rd Bn 8th Marines Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was assigned to India Company for duty as the machine gun section leader. Sergeant Bradley deployed in July 2007 with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). While deployed he supported operations in Iraq as well as humanitarian operations in the Bay of Bengal. Upon returning in February 2008, he was selected as the weapons platoon sergeant for Company I.

He deployed to Afghanistan as part of SPMAGTF-A in October 2008 as was promoted to staff sergeant in November. While in Afghanistan, he was assigned as the PSD platoon commander charged with the safety and security of the battalion commander. During the deployment, he executed multiple high profile security movements for the Vice President of the United States as well as the Commandant of the Marine Corps and multiple Congressional delegations.

Upon returning, he was assigned to Golf Company 2nd BN 24th Marines in Madison, Wisconsin. Upon checking into the inspector – instructor staff (I&I), he was assigned as the training chief for the reserve infantry company. While on I&I duty, he served as Toys for Tots coordinator as well as funeral chief for over 200 full honors funerals across three states. In July 2012, SSgt Bradley was transferred to 2nd Bn 6th Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

He checked into 2nd Bn 6th Marines in July 2012 and was assigned to Fox Company. While serving as 3rd Platoon Sergeant, he conducted pre-deployment training at Marine Corps Base Twenty Nine Palms, California, and subsequently deployed to Okinawa, Japan, on the unit deployment program. While on UDP, he led his platoon in Korea during bi-lateral training. Upon returning to the U.S., he was assigned to 2nd Tank Battalion.

He checked in to 2nd Tank Bn 1 August 2014 and was assigned to the Anti-Tank Platoon (TOWS) and served as platoon sergeant. He was promoted to gunnery sergeant in October 2014. In February 2015, he deployed to Fort Pickett, Virginia, for Deployment for Training as part of the 2nd Marine Division training and evaluation cycle.

He received orders in March 2015 to Marine Barracks Washington D.C. and reported to Company A in May 2015 as the Company gunnery sergeant. He attended Ceremonial Drill School and Senior Non-commissioned officer Drill School and participated in more than 100 ceremonial events to include more than 60 Friday evening parades and sunset parades at the Marine Corps War Memorial. Upon the end of a second successful parade season, he was selected as the SNCOIC of the White House Communications Agency (WHCA). He reported to WHCA in March 2017.

Upon checking in at WHCA, he was tasked with providing highly-trained Marines to outside continental U.S. missions sites in support of the President and Vice President of the United States, as well as members of the National Security Council. He oversaw more than 50 presidential trips to more than 25 countries and 11 states. In addition to these duties, he oversaw the White House Sentry Program that screens and selects highly-qualified Marines for assignment to the White House in direct support of the President of the United States. He was promoted to the rank of first sergeant in June 2018.

He served as regional first sergeant for Region 4 (South America), Marine Embassy Security Group from July 2018 to November 2021. He was responsible for 16 MSG Detachments in 13 countries while serving with the U.S. Department of State.

In November 2020, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant major and assigned to 3rd Bn 6th Marines. He assumed his duties as battalion sergeant major for 3rd Bn 6th Marines in December 2021, and deployed as part of UDP 23.2 to the Indo-Pacific.

He assumed his duties as sergeant major for the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Cherry Point in December 2023.

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star in Lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star Lieu of second Award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in lieu of third award.
 

Last Updated: 21 December 2023