Headquarters Company First Sergeant
First Sergeant Matthew Fortune was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Marine Corps’ delayed entry program in January 1990 and attended Recruit Training in November 1990 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC. Upon Completion of recruit training, he received orders to Marine Combat Training. Upon completion of MCT, Private First Class Fortune went to Engineer School at Court House Bay in Camp Lejuene, NC.
Lance Corporal Fortune received orders to 2d Combat Engineer Battalion in Camp Lejuene, NC and served as an Engineer, Team Leader, and Squad Leader. He participated in a Joint Task Force in South America and Team Work 92 in Bardufoss, Norway. Lance Corporal Fortune was meritoriously promoted to Corporal in 1992 and shortly later received order to 3d Surveillance Reconnaissance and Intelligence Group at Camp Hansen, Okinawa.
In 1994, after the downsizing of the Marine Corp, Corporal Fortune conducted a lateral move. He attended machinist and welding school in Millington, TN. Upon graduation, Sergeant Fortune received order to VMAQ-4 in Cherry Point, NC. He deployed on three occasions to Kosovo in support of Operations Allied Force, Noble Anvil, and Joint Guardian.
In February 1999, Sergeant Fortune was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and received orders to recruiter’s school in San Diego, CA. Upon graduation, Staff Sergeant Fortune received orders to RS Springfield, MA and served as a canvassing recruiter and was moved to Barre, VT to become an NCOIC of Recruiting Sub Station Barre. Staff Sergeant Fortune completed recruiting duty and received orders to VMAQ-2 in Cherry Point, NC.
Upon arrival, Staff Sergeant Fortune was assigned as the SNCOIC, Division Chief, and Guard Chief deploying twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon completion of his second deployment, Staff Sergeant Fortune received orders to Drill Instructor School in Parris Island, SC.
After completion of the school, Staff Sergeant Fortune worked as a Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor and was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. He then was assigned as a Senior Drill Instructor, Series Gunnery Sergeant, and was selected to become a Drill Instructor School Instructor. During this time period, he taught uniforms and instructional techniques, was assigned as the Drill Master, and later the leadership instructor. In April 2008, Gunnery Sergeant Fortune was then selected to be the Company First Sergeant for Hotel Company, 2d Recruit Training Battalion. He was selected to the rank of First Sergeant and frocked in December 2008, completing two additional cycles.
In May 2009, First Sergeant Fortune reported to 3d Combat Engineer Battalion in Twenty-nine Palms, CA and was assigned to be the Alpha Company First Sergeant. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 10.1 to the Helmand Province in Afghanistan. Upon return, First Sergeant Fortune was assigned to Headquarters and Service Company and later Support Company where he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 11.2.
In August 2012, First Sergeant Fortune received order to 7th Communication Battalion where he is currently serving as the Headquarters Company First Sergeant.
His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, as well as numerous unit and service awards.