Sergeant Major Shonor D. Burton, a native of Columbia, Mississippi, enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1999 and completed recruit training at MCRD San Diego in September 1999.
Following recruit training, Sergeant Major Burton attended Marine Corps Combat Training at SOI West, Camp Pendleton, CA, and MOS school at Fort Leonard Wood, MI. Upon completing all schools, he was assigned MOS 3533 Logistics Vehicle Systems Operator.
Sergeant Major Burton reported to his first command, 8th Motors MCB Camp Lejeune, NC, in January 2000 and performed duties as a Motor Transport Operator. While attached to 8th Motors, he was selected to go TAD to the Marine Service Support Group 26 (MSSG-26), where he did two deployments as a Motor Transport Operator in support of Enduring Freedom.
Sergeant Major Burton was transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 (MWSS-371) Yuma, AZ, in January 2003 for duty as a Motor Transport Operator and Section Leader. While at MWSS-371, he also served as the Road Master and Licenses NCO. While attached to MWSS-371, Sergeant Major Burton deployed to Iraq twice to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sergeant Major Burton was then transferred to Marine Corps Recruiter School Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego for duty as a Basic Recruiter. After graduating from Marine Corps Recruiter School in May 2006, Sergeant Major Burton was assigned to the 12 Marine Corps Recruiting District as an Enhanced Area Canvassing Recruiter.
Sergeant Major Burton was then transferred to 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion Camp Pendleton, CA, in May 2009, where he served as the Motor Transport Chief. In September 2010, Sergeant Major Burton deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with Regimental Combat Team One as the United Movement Control Center Chief. In October 2011, Sergeant Major Burton attended SNCO Academy Advance Course at Camp Pendleton, CA.
Sergeant Major Burton was then transferred to Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, in July 2011, where he served as H&S Company First Sergeant.
Sergeant Major Burton was then transferred to Combat Logistics Battalion Four (CLB-4) Camp Smedley D. Butler Okinawa, Japan, in July 2012, where he served as the Maintenance Services Company, Company Gunnery Sergeant. In July 2014, he was assigned to the battalion S3 as the Current Operations Chief.
Sergeant Major Burton then transferred to First Combat Engineer Battalion MCB Camp Pendleton, CA, in May 2015, where he served as Company B and Mobility Assault Company 1stSgt.
Sergeant Major Burton then transferred to 12th Marine Regiment Headquarters Battery, Okinawa, Japan, where he served as the Battery First Sergeant.
Sergeant Major Burton was transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron-172, where he served as the Squadron's Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Burton transferred to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (VMM-262), where he served as the Squadron's Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Burton transferred to Marine Corps Communication-Electronic School (MCCES), where he served as the Group Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Burton transferred to Blount Island Command & Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, where he currently serves as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
Sergeant Major Burton's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of third award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Gold Star in lieu of third award, and a Combat Action Ribbon.
Sergeant Major Burton holds a Bachelor's Degree in History from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Sergeant Major Burton is married to the formerly Marion Lampson-Walker, and has two children, Gavin and Devin.