CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C -- Sgt. Maj. Wesley O. Turner II assumed the duties of installation sergeant major and senior enlisted leader of Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base (MCIEAST-MCB) Camp Lejeune during a relief and appointment ceremony held at the base theater today. Sgt. Maj. Ryan A. Gnecco relinquished his post to Turner marking the transition of senior enlisted leadership.
Gnecco has served as the installation sergeant major since November 2022. Over the course of his tenure, he provided steadfast leadership to six installations spanning four states in support of more than 160,000 Marines, sailors, family members, and civilian employees. His focus on operational excellence, troop morale, and quality-of-life initiatives significantly strengthened the command.
Brig. Gen. Ralph J. Rizzo, Jr., the commanding general of MCIEAST-MCB Camp Lejeune, summed up Gnecco’s impact during his tour: “When he steps out as the senior enlisted advisor for your unit, you’re in a good place as the commander. Nothing is going to be overlooked, no small detail will go unnoticed,” he said, adding, “His [award citation] didn’t capture a percentage of what Sergeant Major Ryan Gnecco does every day in Marine Corps Installations East, the lives he impacts and how he does it.”
During his remarks, Gnecco expressed deep gratitude toward all the MCIEAST staff sections and his direct colleagues that made his tenure successful, “I thank each and every one of you for being a group of professionals that will never let the mission fail.”
Gnecco will assume the role of command senior enlisted leader for Marine Corps Training and Education Command at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
Turner previously served as the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (MLG) Sergeant Major and brings over 25 years of distinguished service to his new role as the installation sergeant major. His career includes assignments from Camp Pendleton to Camp Lejeune, with multiple stops at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Korea. Turner has served in many leadership positions with extensive experience at various levels and commands. His full biography can be found at: https://www.mcieast.marines.mil/Leaders/Biography/Article/4201634/sergeant-major-wesley-o-turner-ii/.
“To come here and support Marines, sailors, their families, and all the civilians across the installation is just a tremendous opportunity,” said Turner, adding, “Coming from 2nd MLG doing logistics, this is logistics. We’re just projecting power from a different platform.”
The relief and appointment ceremony highlighted the Marine Corps’ commitment to leadership continuity and dedication to supporting service members and their families.
To view photos of today’s event, please visit: 
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Wesley O. Turner II, right, incoming sergeant major, salutes Brig. Gen. Ralph J. Rizzo Jr., commanding general, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune, during a relief and appointment ceremony on MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 30, 2025. The relief and appointment ceremony represents the transfer of responsibility and accountability from the outgoing to the incoming sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Loriann Dauscher)