Sergeant Major Timonthy J. Rudd was born in Post, Texas. He entered the United States Marine Corps in 1990. Private Rudd graduated from recruit training at San Diego, California in August 1990. He was then assigned to A Company, Infantry Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California where he received training as a 0351 Dragon/Smaw gunner. Upon graduation Private Rudd was sent to Security Forces School in Vallejo, California where he then graduated and reported in for sea duty aboard the USS Independence CV-62 as a Private First Class. Private First Class Rudd spent the next two years aboard the naval vessel where he was promoted to Lance Corporal and then picked up the rank of Corporal meritoriously. While stationed aboard the aircraft carrier he had participated in Operation Southern Watch.
In January 1993 he received orders to check in with 2d Battalion, 4th Marines. While assigned as a section leader for Smaw’s in Echo Company he conducted a UDP to Okinawa in May 1993. In February 1994, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant meritoriously and was assigned to H&S Company as the assistant Admin Chief. During this time he participated in the re-designation of 2d Battalion 4th Marines to 2d Battalion 6th Marines. After serving one year in H&S Company he was assigned to Golf Company as a squad leader for 2nd Platoon and deployed on a Mediterranean float aboard the USS Wasp.
In March of 1996 Sergeant Rudd received orders to Drill Instructor duty. Upon graduation of Drill Instructors School, Sergeant Rudd was assigned as a Drill Instructor with 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. While serving on the Drill Field he held several billets consisting of a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Rappel Master, event leader for the Crucible and ran the Command Operations Center for the Crucible.
In July of 1998, Sergeant Rudd received orders back to 2d Battalion, 6th Marines. He was assigned to Weapons Company as a Dragon/Tow Section leader for the Anti-Armor Platoon. In December 1998, he picked up the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his tour with Weapons Company he served in the billets of Anti-Armor Platoon Sergeant, Heavy Machine Gun Platoon Sergeant, CAAT Heavy Platoon Sergeant and completed two Mediterranean deployments before receiving orders to the Staff Non-commissioned Officer Academy in October 2002.
In October 2002, Staff Sergeant Rudd was assigned to the Staff Non-commissioned Officer Academy, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as an instructor for the Sergeants Course. In September 2003, he picked up the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and was assigned as the Chief Instructor for the Advanced Course. In February 2005, he was assigned as the Staff Non-commissioned Officer in Charge of the Advance Course.
In October 2005, Gunnery Sergeant Rudd received orders to 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. He was assigned to Weapons Company where he filled multiple billets; Anti-Armor Platoon Commander, Operations Chief and Company First Sergeant. In May 2006, he deployed with a Mobile Training Team to Operations in Afghanistan. In December 2007, he was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant and served as the Bravo Company First Sergeant. While serving as the Bravo Company First Sergeant he deployed with 1st Battalion, 9th Marines to Ramadi, Iraq in support of Iraqi Freedom.
In December 2008, First Sergeant Rudd executed orders to Kilo Battery, 2d Battalion, 14th Marines located in Huntsville, Alabama. He served as both an Inspector-Instructor and Reserve Battery First Sergeant. In December 2011 he was frocked to the rank of Sergeant Major.
In January 2012, he was assigned as the Sergeant Major for 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. During this tour he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In February 2014, he was assigned as the Sergeant Major of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, New River Air Station.
In January 2015, he was assigned as the Sergeant Major of Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262. During this tour he deployed as the ACE SgtMaj for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Force.
Sergeant Major Rudds’ personal awards include the, Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, an Army Commendation Medal, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and a Combat Action Ribbon.