Colonel Norwood reported for enlisted boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, in October of 1990. Gunnery Sergeant Norwood was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in March of 2004. After completing The Basic School and Logistics Officers Course, he was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 and deployed to Anbar Province, Iraq and was promoted to First Lieutenant during that deployment. During this tour, he held billets as the Assistant Operations Officer and Motor Transport Company Executive Officer. Additionally, he was also able to earn the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) MOS from MAWTS-1.
In May of 2008 Captain Norwood was assigned to First Battalion, 7th Marines. During this assignment he served as the Battalion Logistics Officer and deployed with the unit to Anbar Province, Iraq.
In December of 2009 Captain Norwood was assigned to Exercise Support Division, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. During this assignment he served as the Assistant Operations Officer for planning Integrated Training Exercises and Enhanced Mojave Viper Exercises.
In July of 2012 Captain Norwood was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 371. During the first year of this assignment he served as the Motor Transport Company Commander. After his selection to Major, he was fleeted up and reassigned as the Operations Officer for the unit.
In August of 2014 Major Norwood was assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command. He deployed with the unit to Kuwait and was subsequently assigned to Anbar Province, Iraq to assume duties as an Advise and Assist Team Leader for the 7th Iraqi Division to advise them in their fight against ISIS.
In May of 2015 Major Norwood was assigned to MAG-13. While in this assignment he held the billets of Logistics officer, Personnel Support Detachment Commanding Officer, and Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 Remain Behind Element (RBE) Officer-In-Charge.
In June of 2018 Major Norwood was assigned to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon. During this assignment he served as an Operations Officer in the J35 and Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director of Operations, J33. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel while in this assignment.
In June of 2021 Lieutenant Colonel Norwood became the Commanding Officer for MWSS 371 where he served until Summer 2023. Selected for Top Level School, he checked into the Atlantic council as a senior military fellow. While at the think-tank, his focus of effort was combatting China’s aggression in the South China Sea.
In June of 2024 he assumed duties as the combat service support monitor where he managed assignments for lieutenant colonels. He was promoted to Colonel during this tour and had a follow on assignment as the Chief of Staff for Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia.
Colonel Norwood is married to Gabrielle Pearl of San Diego, CA and they have three children; Chris 32, Jake 27, and Lexi 26.
Colonel Norwood holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Troy State University and a Master of Arts in Business Management from National University. Personal decorations include Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (x2), Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (x5), Joint Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (x2).