Sergeant Major Sarah Bickel was born in Austin, TX. She graduated from The Science Academy of Austin at London Baines Johnson High School in 2002. She enlisted in the Marine Corps and reported to MCRD, Parris Island, SC in June 2002. Following recruit training, Private First Class Turner attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Gieger, NC then went on to her Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) school Military Police at Marine Detachment Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Where she was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in December 2002. She graduated MOS school in December 2002 and was assigned the MOS of 5811.
January 2003, Lance Corporal Turner reported to Okinawa, Japan with 3rd Marine Division. Upon complication of Joint Receiving Center training Lance Corporal Turner was sent to Provost Marshal's Office (PMO) Camp Butler as part of the Fleet Assistance Program (FAP) and was stationed on Camp Kinser. While serving as a patrolman on Camp Kinser, she attended the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) training to become a DARE instructor. In August 2003, she was moved to Physical Security and Crime Prevention on Camp Foster and became a DARE instructor for Kinser Elementary School. In September 2003, she was promoted to the rank for Corporal.
March 2004, Corporal Turner reported to Marine Security Guard (MSG) School in Quantico, VA. Upon completion of the course in May she was assigned to United States Embassy Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as a security guard. In November 2004, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In May 2005, she transferred to United States Embassy Roma, Italy and in May 2006 she transferred to United States Embassy San Salvador, El Salvador.
Upon completion of MSG in April 2007 Sergeant Turner was sent to Combat Logistic Regiment 17, Military Police Company, Camp Pendleton, CA. There she was assigned as the guide of second platoon. In February 2008, her company attached to 1st Supply Battalion and she deployed to Al Anbar Province in Iraq as a section leaders and served in the billets of convoy commander, assistance convoy command, and security team leader. She also served as the Security Detachment NCOIC while assigned in the Diyala Province on FOB Caldwell. Upon return from Iraq, Sergeant Turner was moved to the Company Training section and promoted to Staff Sergeant December 2008.
September 2009, Staff Sergeant Bickel received orders to HMX-1 Quantico, Va. She served as Security Administration Staff NCOIC, Trip Security Officer, Platoon Commander, and Platoon Sergeant. In July 2013, she reported to PMO Camp Butler Okinawa, Japan. At PMO she served as Watch Commander, MCIPAC 911 Emergency Dispatch Center SNCOIC and MCIPAC 911 Emergency Dispatch Center Director. October 2014, she was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.
July 2016, she reported to 3D Law Enforcement Battalion Company B to serve as the Company Gunnery Sergeant. When she was selected to First Sergeant she was frocked in February 2018 and transferred to Combat Logistic Battalion 4, Combat Logistics Regiment 3 where she serves as Engineer Service Company First Sergeant and then as Transportation Service Company First Sergeant. In August 2019, she reported to 9th Communication Battalion where she was assigned as Support Company First Sergeant. In May 2020 she took over as the Headquarters Company First Sergeant. December 14, 2022 she was frocked Sergeant Major, and in January 2023 she checked into Recruiting Station Kansas City as the Station Sergeant Major.
Her personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award).