SgtMaj Layton enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in May of 2001. He attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC and graduated in August of 2001. He then attended the School of Infantry East at Camp Geiger, NC where he earned the military occupational specialty of 0341, Mortar Man, and from there received orders to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines reporting in October of 2001.
SgtMaj Layton served as a Gunner, Forward Observer and Squad Leader within Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines from 2001 to 2005. He deployed three times, twice with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit out of Okinawa, Japan and once to Ar Ramadi, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
From December of 2005 to March of 2009, SgtMaj Layton served as a Combat Instructor at the School of Infantry West. While there, he served in both Charlie Company and Delta Company at Infantry Training Battalion and finished his time at the School of Infantry as a Squad Instructor with the Infantry Squad Leader Course.
From March 2009 to October of 2012, SgtMaj Layton served with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines as a Platoon Sergeant in both Kilo Company and Weapons Company. He deployed two times, once to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and once with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit out of San Diego, CA to the Western Pacific.
From November of 2012 to November of 2015, SgtMaj Layton served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant and Company First Sergeant of Marine Security Company aboard the Presidential Retreat Camp David.
From November of 2015 to May of 2018, SgtMaj Layton served as the Inspector- Instructor 1stSgt of Bridge Company Charlie, 6th Engineer Support Battalion located in Memphis, TN.
From May of 2018 to April of 2020, SgtMaj Layton served with 8th Engineer Support Battalion as the Company 1stSgt for both Bridge Company and Engineer Support Company. While there he deployed in support of exercises Trident Juncture and Thunder Reindeer in the Kingdom of Norway.
In April of 2020 he was promoted to his current rank and currently serves as the Battalion Sergeant Major of 3d Battalion, 6th Marines.
SgtMaj Layton’s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device and three gold stars, the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat distinguishing device and two gold stars, and the Combat Action Ribbon with gold star. He is married to his amazing wife Sarah, and has three beautiful children: Lewie (8), Ellie (6), and Faith (2).