Mr. Black served as the 5th Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from November 3rd, 2023 to June 20, 2025 following his selection and assignment as the 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps from July 2019 to August 2023. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, he attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC, in April of 1988 and attended the School of Infantry and Marine Corps Security Force School.

SgtMaj Black was assigned numerous duties to include: 0331 Machine Gunner, Machine Gun Squad and Section Leader; Weapons Platoon Sergeant and Weapons Platoon Commander; Two tours as a Drill Instructor at MCRD Parris Island, Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company (FAST), First Sergeant, G Company 2d Bn, 1st Marines, E Company 3d Amphibious Assault Battalion, India and Headquarters Company 1stSgt and SgtMaj of Officer Candidates School; Sergeant Major, 3d Bn, 7th Marines, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 1st Marine Logistics Group, and Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

He deployed on the USS Forrestal (CV-59) in support of Operation Just Cause and to the Mediterranean in 1989; in support of Operation Sea Soldier, Desert Storm/Desert Shield, and Sea Angel with 3rd Bn, 5th Marines in 1990, and to Okinawa in 1992; with FAST Company in support of 5th and 6th Fleet operations to Bahrain, Italy, Pearl Harbor, and Bangor Washington; Iraq with 2d Bn, 1st Marines in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II (OIF) in 2004; 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) during Operation Bright Star and to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom IV (OIF) in 2005; to Afghanistan with 3d Bn, 7th Marines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010; Combat Logistics Battalion 5 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012; and WESTPAC 14.2 and Operation Inherent Resolve with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2014.

SgtMaj Black’s personal awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit w/ 2 Gold Star’s, Bronze Star w/ Combat Distinguishing Device, Meritorious Service Medal w/ 2 Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ Combat Distinguishing Device and 3 Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ Gold Star and the Combat Action Ribbon with 2 Gold Stars.

Troy has a Bachelor of Science in Terrorism and Counterterrorism Studies from National American University and graduated from the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy December of 2011.