Master Gunnery Sergeant William D. Mike, III, a native of Wilmington, North Carolina, enlisted in the Marine Corps in July, 1995. Upon completion of Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island he reported to his first duty station the 2d Marine Division Band as a French Horn Instrumentalist. He was then assigned to the Quantico Marine Corps Band, from 1999 to 2004 as a French Horn Instrumentalist and Assistant Drum Major.
He enrolled in the Naval School of Music in 2004 to attend the Unit Leader's Course. Upon graduation, he returned to the Quantico Marine Corps Band, as the Drum Major. He returned to the Naval School of Music in 2005 to serve as the Platoon Sergeant for the Marine Detachment. He then assumed the duties as Registrar and Drill Band Instructor educating Marines and Sailors who were attending the Basic Music Course and Unit Leader’s Course from 2007 to 2009. Master Sergeant Mike assumed his duties as the Drum Major for the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band from 2010 to 2013. Returning to the Continental United States in 2013, Master Gunnery Sergeant Mike was the Bandmaster for the Second Marine Aircraft Wing Band from 2014 to 2018. From August 2018 to March 2020, Master Gunnery Sergeant Mike served as the Bandmaster for the Parris Island Marine Band. In March 2020, Master Gunnery Sergeant Mike checked into the Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to serve as the current Bandmaster of the Second Marine Division Band.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Mike has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Horn Performance from Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has also studied at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.
Personal Decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (8th Award), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (8th Award), Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4th Award).