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Command Biography

VMM-266 Command Senior Enlisted Leader
Sergeant Major James L. Davis Jr.

Sergeant Major Davis enlisted in January 2004 from Dickson, Tennessee, attended recruit training aboard Parris Island, South Carolina, and completed military occupational training at the School of Infantry East aboard Camp Geiger, North Carolina, where he earned the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 0311, Infantry Rifleman.

From July 2004 to March 2008, he was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was promoted to Private First Class, Lance Corporal, and Corporal. He deployed with the 26th MEU and subsequently to Fallujah, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom as an Automatic Rifleman, Grenadier, and Team Leader.

From March 2008 to April 2011, he was assigned to Company H, Marine Combat Training Command, School of Infantry East, Camp Geiger, North Carolina, where he was promoted to Sergeant and served as a Combat Instructor and Primary Instructor in support of special duty assignments.

From April 2011 to January 2015, he was assigned to Company A and Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He served as a Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Platoon Commander while deployed to Sang in, Afghanistan, and with the 22nd MEU in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. Upon return, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.

From January 2015 to July 2016, he was assigned to the Marine Corps Training Mission, United Arab Emirates (UAE), stationed overseas in Dubai, UAE, as a Foreign Military Advisor. He embedded within the United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard of Zayed Bin Kalifa Mechanized Brigade in support of combat operations.

From August 2016 to August 2019, he was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, where he obtained the MOS of 0369, Infantry Unit Leader, and served as Platoon Sergeant and Company Gunnery Sergeant. He deployed to Okinawa, Japan, on two separate occasions in support of the Unit Deployment Program. Upon completion, he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.

From September 2019 to September 2021, he was assigned to the Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group, Marine Forces Command, Fort Story, Virginia. He served as the Current Operations Chief, Course Instructor, and Assistant Chief Instructor for the Marine Advisor Course.

From October 2021 to June 2022, he was assigned to Marine Forces Northern Command, G3/5, Norfolk, Virginia. He served as the Future Operations Chief and Individual Mobilization Augmentation Detachment Sponsor. Upon completion, he was promoted to First Sergeant and obtained the 8999 MOS.

From July 2022 to May 2025, he was assigned to Company G and Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader. He deployed to Okinawa, Japan, in support of the Unit Deployment Program. He was promoted to Sergeant Major and received his current orders to VMM-266.

Sergeant Major Davis' personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (in lieu of second award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with Valor, in lieu of third award), and the Combat Action Ribbon (in lieu of second award). Civilian education consists of an Associates' in General Studies and a Bachelor's in Management from American Military University.

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing