Private Eric Cayson enlisted in the Marine Corps in Bartow, Florida. He graduated from Recruit Training at Parris Island, South Carolina October 1994 and attended training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina in November 1994.
Private First Class Cayson was transferred to Naval Air Station Millington, Tennessee for training as an Aviation Structural Mechanic. He was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, California for training as an Airframes Technician on the CH-53 D/E aircraft. Lance Corporal Cayson reported for duty with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 in May 1995 and transferred to HMM-266 in support of the 24th MEU. Aboard the USS Saipan he was promoted to the rank of Corporal.
Upon his return to HMH-461, he deployed to Yuma, Arizona in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course. Corporal Cayson was transferred to HMM-264 in support of the 24th MEU in May of 1997 and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Sergeant Cayson was transferred to Helicopter Maintenance Training Squadron 302 for duty as an Airframes Instructor on the CH-53D/E aircraft. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and earned his Associates Degree from Campbell University.
Staff Sergeant Cayson reported to Drill Instructor School at Parris Island, South Carolina in July 2003 and was assigned to the Second Recruit Training Battalion. Gunnery Sergeant Cayson transferred to HMH-464 in December 2006. Gunnery Sergeant Cayson served as the Airframes Division Chief and deployed to the Horn of Africa. He deployed in support of Operation Continuing Promise from August to December 2008.
In December 2008, he was transferred to Headquarters Squadron, MAG 29 and served as the Headquarters Squadron First Sergeant. In December 2009, he was selected for promotion to First Sergeant. First Sergeant Cayson reported for duty at Second Battalion, Sixth Marines and was assigned to Echo Company. He deployed to Marjah, Afghanistan in June 2010.
Upon return, he was assigned to Weapons Company and deployed to Trek Nawa, Afghanistan in January 2011. First Sergeant Cayson served as the Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant in North Little Rock, Arkansas from June 2012 to June 2015.
Sergeant Major Cayson assumed his post as the HMLA-167 Sergeant Major in June 2015 and deployed with the squadron to Okinawa, Japan in support of UDP 16.1.
Sergeant Major Cayson assumed his post as the Combat Logistics Battalion 26 Sergeant Major in April 2017.
Sergeant Major Cayson is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy and a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Air Force Senior Non Commissioned Officer Academy.
Sergeant Major Cayson’s personal decorations include: Bronze Star Medal w/ Combat Distinguishing Device, The Meritorious Service medal, The Joint Meritorious Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 3 gold stars and The Combat Action Ribbon.