Sergeant Major Samuel A. Howard was born January 3, 1984 in Leesburg, Florida. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 2003 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina.
Following recruit training Private Howard reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, North Carolina for Marine Combat Training. Upon completion, he attended MOS training as an Aviation Ordnance Technician at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida and Oceana, Virginia.
In January 2004, Private First-Class Howard reported for duty to VMFA-122, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. While assigned, he deployed multiple times UPD to Japan and in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, holding billets as Team Leader, Crew Supervisor, Collateral Duty Inspector, and Quality Assurance Safety Observer. Meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant in August 2007, Sergeant Howard was transferred to the Corporals Leadership School where he held billets as Squad Instructor and Chief Instructor.
In July 2009, Sergeant Howard reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina for Drill Instructor Duty. Upon completion of Drill Instructor school, he was assigned to the First Recruit Training Battalion where he served as Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor. In April 2011, while assigned to Support Battalion, Sergeant Howard was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and served as Chief Instructor and SNCOIC of the Academic Instruction Unit.
In January 2013, Staff Sergeant Howard reported for duty to VMFA-115, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. While assigned, he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and UDP to Japan, holding billets as Line Supervisor, SNCOIC, Division Chief, and Quality Assurance Chief.
In December 2015, Staff Sergeant Howard was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and selected to serve as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor at Norwich University, Vermont, while simultaneously serving as a Sergeant Instructor and Platoon Sergeant at Officer Candidate School, Quantico, Virginia.
Frocked to the rank of First Sergeant in June 2019, First Sergeant Howard reported for duty to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division as India Company First Sergeant. While assigned, he participated in multiple force on force, multinational, and joint service level training exercises, culminating in UDP to Japan. In June 2021, First Sergeant Howard was transferred to Marine Special Operations Command where he served as the Headquarters Company First Sergeant.
Frocked to his current rank of Sergeant Major in January 2023, Sergeant Major Howard currently serves as the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion Sergeant Major, MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, and the Drill Instructor Ribbon.