Mast Gunnery Sergeant Keith Dangerfield
United States Marine Corps
MGySgt Dangerfield, a native of Robbins, NC, enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 1982. After graduating from basic training at MCRD, San Diego, he was assigned to Armor Basic School at Ft. Knox, Kentucky.
Upon graduation, he was assigned to Sub Unit #1 at Camp Fuji, Japan. During January 1983, he was transferred to Charlie Company, 1st Track Vehicle Bn, Okinawa, and participated in Team Spirit in Korea.
In May 1984, Cpl Dangerfield transferred to Alpha Company, 2nd Tank Bn, as a gunner and section leader of headquarters tank section. In May 1985, he was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant and returned to Japan with Alpha Company for a six-month unit deployment
In 1987, he was reassigned to H&S Co, 2nd Tank Bn, and performed the duties of section leader for the battalion headquarters tank section and served as the battalion recon NCO.
In 1989, Sgt Dangerfield was selected as an instructor for the M1A1 New Equipment Training Team (NETT), and transferred to Ft. Carson, Colorado to assist in training the U.S. Army on the M1 Tank. In May 1990, SSgt Dangerfield was transferred to HQ Bn 29 Palms, CA, with the NETT Team to train all Marine Corps tankers on the M1A1 tank. In October 1992, SSgt Dangerfield was transferred back to B Co, 2nd Tank BN, Camp Lejeune, NC, as a Platoon Sergeant.
In June 1993, SSgt Dangerfield attended and graduated from the Master Gunner Course and Senior Instructor Operator Course at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Upon his return, he was assigned an additional duty as Company Master Gunner for Bravo Company. SSgt Dangerfield participated in numerous Combined Arms Exercises and deployments to Ft. Pickett, Virginia.
In June 1995, SSgt Dangerfield was transferred to Marine Corps Detachment, Ft. Knox, KY; as an instructor at the US Army Master Gunner Branch. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in October 1995. In October 1999, he was transferred back to 2nd Tank Bn, and assumed the duties of Tank Leader for Delta Co. He was promoted to Master Sergeant in July 2000.
In August 2002, MSgt Dangerfield was assigned at Battalion Logistics Chief. In January 2003, MSgt Dangerfield deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon his return MSgt Dangerfield was transferred to 1st Tank Bn, 29 Palms, California, and assumed the billet of Battalion Operations Chief.
He was promoted to his current rank in November 2003. His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 1 star, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. MGySgt Dangerfield is married to the former Deanna Short of High Falls, NC. They have two children, John, age 26 and Kendall, 23. The Dangerfield’s live in Whispering Pines, NC where he is in his 17th year as a NJROTC instructor at Union Pines High School.