Darren E. Sullivan was born in Little Rock, Ark. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1990 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. Upon completion of recruit training, he attended the light armored vehicle repair course at Arberdeen Proving Ground, Md.
Upon completing this course, Pfc. Sullivan's first assignment was 3rd Light Armored Infantry Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan, where he served as a Light Armored Vehicle mechanic. In November of the same year, he was transferred to Alpha Company, 3rd Light Armored Infantry Battalion, Subic Bay, Philippines.
In September 1991, Lance Cpl. Sullivan was transferred to 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif. In March 1993, he was reassigned to Bravo Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. In July of the same year, he was attached to Battalion Landing Team 2/5. In January 1994, Cpl. Sullivan deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and participated in Operations Quick Draw and Continue Hope in Somalia.
In May 1995, he was reassigned to Alpha Company, 1st LAR Bn., and attached to BLT 2/1. In the same month, he deployed again with the 11th MEU and participated in Operations Infinite Moonlight, 95 Jordan and Eager Mace in Kuwait City.
In October 1996, Sgt. Sullivan received orders to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif. After completing Drill Instructor School, he reported to Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, and served as a drill instructor and senior drill instructor. In July 1998, he was meritoriously promoted to staff sergeant.
In June 2000, he received orders to 1st Force Service Support Group and served as the light armored vehicle maintenance chief and company gunnery sergeant for General Support Maintenance Company.
In January 2003, Gunnery Sgt. Sullivan deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Combat Service Support Battalion-12 and served as the light armored vehicle maintenance chief. After his deployment, he was assigned to Combat Service Support Company-121 as the ordnance section chief.
In February 2004, he deployed again to Iraq with Combat Service Support Group-15 and served as the maintenance chief and company gunnery sergeant for Repairable Management Company.
In April 2005, he transferred to Ordnance Maintenance Company and assumed the duties of company first sergeant.
In February 2006, deployed for a third tour to Iraq with Combat Logistics Battalion-5 and served as the first sergeant for Combat Logistic Company-155.
In December 2006, he was frocked to first sergeant and reassigned to Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., as the battalion first sergeant.
In September 2009, 1st Sgt. Sullivan was reassigned to Headquarters And Service Company, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, as the company first sergeant. In October 2010, he deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In December 2011, he was frocked to sergeant major and assumed the duties as sergeant major for Site Support, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Miramar, Calif.
In May 2014, Sgt. Maj. Sullivan was reassigned to 1st Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD Parris Island, as the battalion sergeant major.
His personal awards include: Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Commendation Medal with 3 Gold Stars, and the Combat Action Ribbon.