Battalion Sergeant Major, 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion
Sergeant Major David L. Watts

Sergeant Major Watts was born and raised in Bel Air, Maryland.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended recruit training in India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina in September, 1996.  He was promoted meritoriously to Private First Class upon completion of Recruit Training.  In December of 1996 he reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, Jacksonville, North Carolina for training as a 0311. 

Private First Class Watts reported for duty with India Company 3RD Battalion, 2ND Marines in March of 1997.  In February, 1997, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.  Lance Corporal Watts then deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operation Joint Guard in Bosnia, Herzegovina.  While with India Company 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, he held the billets of rifleman, automatic rifleman, and fire team leader. 

Upon returning from the 26th MEU, Lance Corporal Watts received orders to Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Parris Island, South Carolina.  Lance Corporal Watts was promoted to the rank of Corporal in May of 1999. While assigned to Weapons and Field Training Battalion Range Company, he filled the billets of Range Coach, and Block NCO.   Corporal Watts was promoted to Sergeant in April of 2000.   After a successful tour on active duty from 1996 to 2000, Sergeant Watts entered the Individual Ready Reserve from September 2000 to April of 2003.

 Sergeant Watts reported to Echo Company 2ND Battalion 25TH Marines in May of 2003, where he was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 5-7 from December 2005 to November 2006.  Sergeant Watts held the billet of Platoon Sergeant for Weapons platoon.  He was promoted to Staff Sergeant during that deployment in April of 2006. 

In January of 2007 Staff Sergeant Watts executed PCS orders to Twenty-nine Palms, CA for duty with 3RD Battalion, 7TH Marines.  He deployed to Iraq again in March of 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 6-8.  While deployed, Staff Sergeant Watts was the Weapons Platoon Sergeant for India Company 3RD Battalion, 7TH Marines.  Staff Sergeant Watts also held the billet of Company Gunnery Sergeant for India Company.

In July of 2009 Staff Sergeant Watts reported to Drill Instructor School Class 4-09 Parris Island, South Carolina.  Staff Sergeant Watts was selected as one of the Distinguished Graduates for Class 4-09.  After Completion of Drill Instructor School Staff Sergeant Watts reported for Duty with Kilo Company 3RD Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.  While with Kilo Company, Staff Sergeant Watts completed 5 full cycles where he held the billets as Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor.  Staff Sergeant Watts was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in January of 2010.  Gunnery Sergeant Watts completed his successful tour as a Drill Instructor in September of 2012. 

In October of 2012 Gunnery Sergeant Watts reported to 3RD Battalion 1ST Marines, where he assumed the duties as Combined Anti-Armor Team 2 Platoon Sergeant and Weapons Company Operations Chief.  Gunnery Sergeant Watts was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant in April of 2013.  First Sergeant Watts then reported to 2d Battalion 1st Marines where he served as the Echo Company First Sergeant from April 2013 – January 2014 and then Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant from January 2014 – April 2015. 

In April of 2015 First Sergeant Watts executed PCS orders back to Parris Island, SC where he completed 7 training cycles with 1ST Recruit Training Battalion as the Company First Sergeant for Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Companies.  In April of 2017 First Sergeant Watts then received PCA orders to Weapons and Field Training Battalion where he served as the Marksmanship Training Company First Sergeant from April 2017 – August 2018. 

In September of 2018, First Sergeant Watts was promoted to Sergeant Major and transitioned to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina to serve as the Squadron Sergeant Major for Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 115.  While with VMFA-115, Sergeant Major Watts deployed to Bahrain in support of SPMAGTF 18.2 and UDP 20.1

Currently, Sergeant Major watts serves as the Battalion Sergeant Major for 2D Assault Amphibian Battalion.

Sergeant Major Watts holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Safety Administration and Emergency Management from the University of Maryland.

Sergeant Major Watts’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Gold Star, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V” device and Gold Star in lieu of third award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Individual Bronze Rifle Medal (Eastern Division Matches), Individual Silver Pistol Medal (Eastern Division Matches), Elliot Trophy (Team Rifle Match), Edson Trophy (Team Pistol Match).  Sergeant Major Watts has been married for 17 years, and has three sons.