Sheryl Murray Named To The Board Of Directors Of The Young Marines

The members of the board of directors of the Young Marines, a national youth organization, welcome a new board member - Sheryl Murray, who brings executive level leadership and management experience gained during her more than 40 years of service to Corps and country.

"Sheryl brings proven leadership and an understanding of the importance of youth programs," said William L. Smith, chair of the board of directors of the Young Marines. "Already very familiar with the mission of the Young Marines, Sheryl is a welcomed addition to the board."

Colonel Murray (ret) was appointed as a member of the Department of the Navy's Senior Executive Service in 2007 and assigned as the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA), HQ Marine Corps. In this assignment, she assisted the deputy commandant in the operation and management of the entire M&RA Department.

She served as the Acting Deputy Commandant from September, 2014, until May, 2015. She was recognized in 2014 as a recipient of the Presidential Rank Award. In addition, she was awarded the Secretary of the Navy’s Distinguished Civilian Service Award in 2016.

"I am delighted to be asked to serve as a member of the Young Marines Board of Directors," Murray said. "Over the years I have witnessed the value of the Young Marines program and its positive impact on the youth who take up the challenge. I look forward to being part of this great organization."

Commissioned in 1973, Murray's career included manpower and personnel assignments throughout the Corps in both command and staff positions.

Her staff assignments included Head, Promotion Branch at HQMC; Readiness Officer/Inspector/Assistant Chief of Staff, G-7, Marine Forces Pacific; Deputy Director, Division of Public Affairs, HQMC; and as the Joint Staff's Chief, Personnel Services Division, and then as the Vice Director, J1; and Deputy Director, Reserve Affairs HQMC.

Murray's command tours include Series Commander, Woman Recruit Training Command, Parris Island and as the Commanding Officer of the Education Center Company, Quantico, the 4th Recruit Training Battalion, and the Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Forces Pacific.

Throughout her military career, she often served as a military representative to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Service. She served (as an additional duty) from 2001 to 2003 as the U.S. Delegate to the Women in NATO Committee.

Murray is a graduate of the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. She majored in Political Science at Huron College, Huron, South Dakota, and holds a master of science degree in Business Administration and Management from Boston University.

Her personal military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit fourth award, the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, the Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Murray and her husband reside in Stafford, Virginia.

About the Young Marines

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to 275 units with 9,200 youth and 2,760 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia and Okinawa with affiliates in other countries.

For more information, visit the official website at: http://www.YoungMarines.com.