Sergeant Michael C. Keast enlisted into the Marine Corps July 10, 2000. Sergeant Keast underwent recruit training at MCRD San Diego, California. Sergeant Keast went to the School of Infantry, as a basic rifleman.

In November 2000 Sergeant Keast was a student of Marine Corps Security Force Training Company. At this school Sergeant Keast learned anti-terrorism techniques.

In February 2001, Sergeant Keast arrived at Marine Corps Security Force Company London, England, he was stationed here for a year and a half. While still stationed here, Sergeant Keast was sent to Infantry Squad Leaders Course Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

In July 2002 after Marine Corps Security Force Company London, England closed. Sergeant Keast received orders to 2^nd Battalion 5^th Marines 1^st Marine Division Camp Pendleton, California. Sergeant Keast was placed in Echo Company.

In Echo Company Sergeant Keast held many different billets as team leader, squad leader, acting platoon sergeant, and acting platoon commander. Sergeant Keast completed the Combat Aids Man Course taught by the Navy Corpsman.

In February 2003 serving as First Team Leader for Second Squad, Third Platoon, Echo Company, Sergeant Keast was deployed overseas to Kuwait in support of the War On Terrorism. In March Sergeant Keast with his unit invaded Iraq, and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sergeant Keast took part in many missions during the conflict and many stability operations afterwards.

In August 2003 Sergeant Keast was redeployed back to Camp Pendleton, California. In December 2003, Sergeant Keast attended Corporals Course. During this month Sergeant Keast became Echo Companies Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter. On February 2, 2004 Sergeant Keast was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant, by a 5^th Marines promotion board.

Sergeant Keast’s individual awards include a Navy Achievement Medal with combat “V”, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Serves Ribbon, and Overseas Deployment Ribbon.