Sergeant Major Charles B. Peoples, a native of Dallas, Texas, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in October 1995. He completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, followed by Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. He then attended the Marine Aviation Operations School at Naval Air Station Meridian, Mississippi, where he earned the Military Occupational Specialty of 7041, Aviation Operations Specialist. Sergeant Major Peoples began his career at Marine Aircraft Group 31, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251), stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. Serving as an Operations Clerk, he deployed aboard the USS George Washington with Carrier Air Wing One in support of Operation Southern Watch. He later deployed as the Operations Chief aboard the USS John F. Kennedy and USS Theodore Roosevelt in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2002, Sergeant Major Peoples was honored with the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Jack W. Demmond Award for Ground Aviation Marine of the Year.
He subsequently served at United States Forces Korea as the G-3 Training Chief and Current Operations Chief, where he was promoted to Staff Sergeant in June 2003. Following his tour in Korea, he served as a Marine Aviation Operations Specialist Instructor at Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron 1, NAS Meridian, Mississippi, where his leadership and community involvement earned him the title of “NAS Meridian Citizen of the Year” in 2006. He next served at VMR Detachment Belle Chasse, Louisiana, as the Detachment SNCOIC, Operations Chief, and Transport Aircrewman for the UC-12B and UC-35C/D aircraft. He was meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in 2007 and later deployed with HMLA-773 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Returning to MCAS Beaufort now assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, Sergeant Major Peoples served as the Operations Chief, Squadron Gunnery Sergeant, and NATOPS Instructor for the UC-12B.
In 2010 he was selected as the USMC Funeral Director at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., where he was frocked to First Sergeant in 2012. He served with Guard Company and later Company B. In 2014, Sergeant Major Peoples was assigned as the First Sergeant for Company E, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, and in 2016, for Headquarters Company, 3d Marine Regiment.
In May 2017, he was selected as the Battalion Sergeant Major for 2d Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. He later served as Battalion Sergeant Major for 2d Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2d Marine Logistics Group, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In 2020, Sergeant Major Peoples reported to Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, as the Battalion Sergeant Major for 3d Supply Battalion, 3d Marine Logistics Group. He continued to lead the battalion through its re-designation to 3d Sustainment Group (Experimental) in 2021. In 2022, Sergeant Major Peoples was selected as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Sergeant Major Peoples assumed his current post as the Weapons Field Training Battalion Sergeant Major on December 10, 2024.
Sergeant Major Peoples’ personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with four gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal with a bronze star.