Captain Courtney R. Lawrence was born on 6 October 1986 in Houston, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from George Mason University. Captain Lawrence enlisted in the Marine Corps on 25 August 2008. Upon completion of Recruit Training, she was promoted to Private First Class and attended Marine Combat Training. In January 2009, she reported to Marine Barracks Washington as a Euphonium Bugler with “The Commandant’s Own,” United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps (D&B).
She was promoted to Lance Corporal in March 2009 and Corporal in October of 2009. She served as Music Librarian in 2010 and was promoted to Sergeant in March 2011. She served as Music Library Chief, Euphonium Section Leader, and Assistant Drill Master in 2011-2012. She attended the Sergeants Course in Quantico, VA in October-December 2012, graduating with distinction. She was competitively selected to represent the D&B as the NCO Drum Major in the NCO Sunset Parade at the Marine Corps War Memorial, and multiple parades at the State Fair of Texas in 2012 and 2013. She became the D&B Drill Master in 2013 and served as Training NCO in 2014. She was promoted to Staff Sergeant in July 2014.
Staff Sergeant Lawrence was competitively selected to represent the Drum & Bugle Corps as a SNCO Conductor at the State Fair of Texas in October 2015, and in multiple Holiday Brass Concerts in December 2015. She completed her bachelor’s degree at George Mason University in December 2015, graduating cum laude. She continued to serve as D&B Drill Master until 2016 when she became the Hornline Instructor. She attended the Career Course Seminar in December 2017-January 2018.
In July 2018, Staff Sergeant Lawrence was competitively selected to become the Drum & Bugle Corps’ Operations Officer and Assistant Director. She was promoted to Warrant Officer in February 2019 and attended the Warrant Officer Basic Course at The Basic School in Quantico, VA January-May 2019. In February 2022 she became the Director and Executive Officer of “The Commandant’s Own” and was promoted to Captain on 1 April 2023.
Captain Lawrence’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, and the Good Conduct Medal with two bronze stars in lieu of third award.