Official Biography
Sergeant Major, Marine Corps Installations Pacific
Sergeant Major Joy Maria Kitashima

Sergeant Major Kitashima enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 1996. Upon completion of recruit training, Private First Class Kitashima attended the Military Police School in Fort McClellan, Alabama. Following graduation, she was assigned to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan. 

 

After completing her tour in Okinawa, Lance Corporal Kitashima reported to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in January 1998 for duty as a Military Police Officer. In May 1998, Corporal Kitashima received orders to The School of Infantry East, Marine Combat Training Battalion as a Marine Combat Instructor. 

 

In May 2001, Sergeant Kitashima was assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California where she served as a Patrol Supervisor. In September 2002, she deployed with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 to Bagram, Afghanistan in support of VMA-513 during Operation Enduring Freedom. 

 

In May 2004, Staff Sergeant Kitashima reported for duty to The School of Infantry West and was assigned as the Fox Company Platoon Commander. In February 2005, Staff Sergeant Kitashima was reassigned to Headquarters Company, Instructor Group, where she served until April 2007.

 

Upon reporting to 2nd Marine Logistics Group in April 2007, Gunnery Sergeant Kitashima was assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 27, Military Police Company, with whom she deployed to Al Taqaddum, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In July 2008, Gunnery Sergeant Kitashima was assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 22 and deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit as the Operations Chief. In January 2010, First Sergeant Kitashima redeployed to Haiti with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operation Unified Response. 

 

In June 2010, First Sergeant Kitashima reported to The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia where she served as the Combat Service Support Company First Sergeant, Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant, Company First Sergeant for Delta Company Basic Officer Course 4-13, and Warfighting Instructor Company First Sergeant.

 

In June 2014, Sergeant Major Kitashima reported to Marine Air Control Squadron 4 where she served as the Squadron Sergeant Major. In December 2016, she became the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company Sergeant Major until May 2018 when she received orders to II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group.

 

Sergeant Major Kitashima assumed the duties of Marine Corps Installations Pacific Sergeant Major in April 2020.

 

Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars in lieu of forth award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two stars in lieu of third award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two stars in lieu of third award, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with six stars in lieu of seventh award, National Defense Medal, and various campaign and unit awards.