Command Sergeant Major Marla D. Darby serves as the Battalion Sergeant Major for the Operational Support Airlift Activity (OSA-A), Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Previously, Command Sgt. Maj. Darby served at the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence (AVCOE), Fort Rucker, Alabama, as the Army National Guard (ARNG) Senior Enlisted Advisor to the AVCOE Deputy Commanding General-ARNG (DCG-ARNG). Born in central Florida, she entered the U.S. Army in August 2001. She completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Advanced Individual Training as an Aviation Operations Specialist (MOS 93P/15P) at Fort Rucker, Alabama. In 2007, she joined the Washington National Guard while assigned at formerly, Fort Lewis, Washington.
Command Sgt. Maj. Darby’s distinguished career encompasses a wide range of positions and prior assignments as a Special Assistant to the Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard as part of the Strategic Initiatives Group. Command Sgt. Maj. Darby served as an Inspector General Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) at the National Guard Bureau where she assisted personnel with matters affecting their health, welfare, and personal readiness. She has been a pillar in the aviation community with prior assignments as HHC First Sergeant, Operational Support Airlift Activity; Senior Aviation Safety NCOIC and Aviation Resource Management Survey team member; Detachment Sergeant at the Washington Regional Flight Center (WARFC); OSA-A Execution Branch NCOIC and Floor Sergeant; Flight Operations NCO; Flight Dispatcher at Base Operations, Joint Base Lewis-McChord , Washington; and Aviation Operations Specialist 2/52 AVN Regiment, 17th AVN Brigade at Camp Humphreys, Korea.
Command Sgt. Maj. Darby's military and civilian education includes all required levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System. She is a graduate of the Sergeants Major Course-Distance Learning (SMC-DL) where she graduated on the Commandant's List. She completed the Distributed Leader Course VI, Army Learning Management System in 2024. Command Sgt. Maj. Darby holds a Master of Arts Human Services Counseling with Marriage and Family Therapy Cognate, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia.
Command Sgt. Maj. Darby has been awarded numerous awards and decorations for her exemplary service including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Commendation Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Achievement Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster); Army Good Conduct Medal (Silver Bar and Two Loops); National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism-Service Medal; Korea Defense Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Master Aviation Badge; Senior Aviation Badge; Basic Aviation Badge; National Guard Bureau Identification Badge, and Inspector General Identification Badge.