Sergeant Major Lonnie R. Sanders, USMC (Ret)
Sergeant Major Sanders was born in Idabel, Oklahoma on April 6, 1950. He graduated from Cheney High School in Cheney, Washington in 1968. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1969 and attended recruit training at MCRD, San Diego.

Following recruit training, he was assigned to sea duty abroad the USS Beninington. In September 1969, he was sent to the Republic of Vietnam where he served with Company G, 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. While in the Republic of Vietnam, he received a meritorious combat promotion to Corporal.

In October 1970, as a Sergeant, he assumed duties with Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, serving there until September 1971. Assigned to Marine Barracks, 8th & I, he earned a spot on the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team, ultimately serving as the rifle inspector for that unit. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in January 1975.

In February 1975, he was transferred to Parris Island where he attended Drill Inspector School. From May 1975 to December 1976, he served as Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Series Gunnery Sergeant. While in that assignment, he was meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. He completed his tour on the drill field as the Drill Master at Drill Instructor School from December 1976 to May 1978.

His next assignment was to Okinawa, Japan where he served as Company Gunnery Sergeant and First Sergeant of Company I, 3d Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. Returning to Camp Pendleton, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment as the 81mm Mortar Platoon Assistant Commander.

In May 1980, he attended Recruiter School, San Diego, California. Upon completion, he was assigned to Recruiting Station, Seattle, Washington until July 1982 when he was promoted to First Sergeant. He was then transferred to Marine Barracks 8th and I, where he served as the First Sergeant of Company B until August 1986, when he was promoted to Sergeant Major and assigned as the Sergeant Major, Marine Barracks 8th & I.

In July 1989, Sergeant Major Sanders was assigned as Sergeant Major, 3d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, where he served until March 1991 when he became the Sergeant Major of the 26th MEU (SOC). In May 1992, he was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona, and was the Station Sergeant Major, where he served until August 1994. In August 1994 Sergeant Major Sanders was assigned as the Director, Enlisted Professional Military Education/Sergeant Major, Marine Corps University, Quantico, VA. In March 1997 Sergeant Major Sanders was assigned as the Sergeant Major, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, VA. Where he served until his retirement in April 1999.

Sergeant Major Sander's personal decorations include the Legion of Merit with gold star in lieu second award, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars in lieu of second and third awards, Navy Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V and two gold stars in lieu of second and third awards, and the Combat Action Ribbon with gold star in lieu of second award.

Sergeant Major Sanders is married to the former Janice Nelson of Cheney, Washington. They have two children, Sheila and Staci.