SERGEANT MAJOR  (Retired) MICHAEL J. LANE

Sergeant Major Lane enlisted in the Marine Corps on 12 October 1978.  On 11 July 1979, after graduating from Easton Area High School in Easton, Pennsylvania, he reported to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.  He graduated Platoon Honor Graduate in October 1979 and reported to Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron 98, Millington, Tennessee, for school as a basic air traffic controller.  After graduation he was assigned to Marine Corps Air Facility, Quantico, Virginia for duty as an air traffic controller.

In February 1982, Corporal Lane transferred to 1^st Marine Aircraft Wing, Futenma, Okinawa for duty and deployments to ia Shima Japan and Osan Airbase, Korea.  After 18 months he returned to MCAF Quantico.  In 1985, Sergeant Lane volunteered for Drill Instructor School at MCRD Parris Island and after graduation was assigned to Company I, Third Recruit Training Battalion.  During his tour he was also assigned to Headquarters Company, Third Recruit Training Battalion and Support Battalion, MCRD.

After a successful tour as a Drill Instructor, Sergeant Lane reported to Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina for duty with Headquarters Squadron MCAS where he served during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield.  He was released from active duty in December 1991.

In March of 1995, Staff Sergeant Lane reenlisted in the Selected Marine Corps Reserve with Marine Air Control Squadron – 24, Marine Aircraft Group – 49, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania where he served as Senior Air Traffic Controller and Operations Chief.  In March 1998, Gunnery Sergeant Lane transferred to Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina, for duty as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee and Air Traffic Control Facility Watch Supervisor.  During this period, he attended Combined Air Exercise 7 and 8, 1999 at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms California.  He was also assigned aboard the USS Enterprise as Airspace Cell Manager for Joint Task Force Exercise 99-2 and assistant to the Joint Forces Air Component Commander.

In March of 2000, First Sergeant Lane reported to Company B, 4^th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion for duty as Company First Sergeant.  His tour included training at Camp Pendleton, California, 29-Palms, California and Fort Stewart, Georgia.  In February 2003, he was mobilized for active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  His Company was re-designated as Company E and attached to 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team – 7, 1^st Marine Division, and was assigned to combat duty in Iraq.

In May of 2004 Sergeant Major Lane was posted as Battalion Sergeant Major, 8th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division where he served at Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Knox, Kentucky and Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Africa. Sergeant Major Lane conducted 8^th Tank battalion’s deactivation in June of 2005.

In August 2005, Sergeant Major Lane was assigned as the Battalion Sergeant Major, 4^th Supply Battalion, 4^th Marine Logistics Group, Newport News Virginia, where he served until his retirement.

Sergeant Major Lane’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and 3 gold stars in lieu of fourth award, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Sergeant Major Lane retired from the Marine Corps in July, 2008, with twenty-six years, eight months of total service. He continued employment with the Department of Defense as an Air Traffic Controller at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, where he retired from government service in March, 2018 with twenty years.

Mike now serves as TEAM ADDO’s  Chief of Staff on the Leadership Team.

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