Chief Master Sgt. Marlon D. Burton is the senior enlisted leader of the 182nd Mission Support Group, Peoria, Illinois. He serves as the principal advisor to the group commander on matters of health, welfare and morale, professional development and the effective utilization of the enlisted personnel assigned to the group’s seven subordinate units.
Chief Burton entered the Air National Guard on Oct. 23, 1998. He attended the 343rd Security Forces apprentice course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in March 1999. As a security forces member, he worked as a fire team leader and assistant flight chief in general operations. He deployed overseas to Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, and undisclosed locations in Southwest Asia in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle and Iraqi Freedom. Chief Burton served as a safety specialist with the 182nd Airlift Wing from 2006 to 2014 before returning to Security Forces as the first sergeant. He returned to the wing as human resources advisor in 2018, where most recently he serves as chairperson to an initiative that has embarked on a new comprehensive mentoring program for the wing.
In his civilian capacity, Chief Burton served as a law enforcement official for more than 21 years, including roles as correctional officer, senior parole agent and Deputy United States Marshal. He currently serves as the Illinois director for U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans Employment Training Services, where he oversees many veteran programs that provide services and resources for Illinois veterans throughout the state. Prior to his current position, the chief master sergeant was a human resource advisor with the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois.
EDUCATION
1993 Associate of Arts, General Studies, Lincoln College, Lincoln
1997 Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, Missouri Western State, St. Joseph
2002 Airman Leadership School, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2006 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2009 Mishap Investigation Non-Aviation (MINA) Course, USAF Safety Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2013 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2014 Associate of Applied Science, Safety, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2014 USAF First Sergeant Academy (ANG), Air University, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
2016 Associate of Applied Science, Human Resource Management, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2019 Master of Health Science, Addiction Studies, Governors State University, University Park, Ill.
2019 Managing for Inclusion: Leveraging Diversity in the Workplace, Georgetown University, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
2019 Mastering Emotional Intelligence Level 1, Talent Smart, Inc., McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
2020 Certified Professional Diversity Coach, Coach Diversity Institute, Haymarket, Va.
2021 Master of Arts, Criminal Justice, Governors State University, University Park, Ill.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1998–September 2002, Security Forces Specialist, 182nd Security Forces Squadron, Peoria, Ill. (September 2001–February 2002, Security Forces Specialist, 375th Security Forces Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.)
2. February 2002–June 2003, Fire Team Leader, 182nd Security Forces Squadron, Peoria, Ill. (February 2003–March 2003, Fire Team Leader, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.; March 2003–April 2003, Fire Team Leader, Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany; April 2003–June 2003, Fire Team Leader, Undisclosed Location, Southwest Asia)
3. June 2003–January 2006, Assistant Flight Chief, 182nd Security Forces Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
4. January 2006–May 2014, Safety Specialist, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Ill.
5. May 2014–January 2019, First Sergeant, 182nd Security Forces Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
6. January 2019–March 2022, Human Resource Advisor, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Ill.
7. March 2022–Present, Group Senior Enlisted Leader, 182nd Mission Support Group, Peoria, Ill.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Illinois Lincoln Medal of Freedom
Illinois National Guard Long and Honorable Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Illinois National Guard Military Attendance Ribbon with “11” device
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1999 Top Gun Award (M249 Light Machine Gun), Silver Flag Alpha Range Complex
2017 Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year, 182nd Airlift Wing
2017 Outstanding Guardsman, National Guard Association of the United States
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
iMentor Mentoring Program, Chicago
The American Legion
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class Oct. 23, 1998
Senior Airman April 1, 2000
Staff Sergeant Nov. 18, 2002
Technical Sergeant Feb. 5, 2005
Master Sergeant Feb. 4, 2008
Senior Master Sergeant Sept. 9, 2017
Chief Master Sergeant April 7, 2022
(CURRENT AS OF JUNE 2022)