Sergeant Major Overstreet subsequently completed successful tours on the Inspector-Instructor staff, Wichita, Kan.; recruiting duty in Des Moines, Iowa, and Detroit, Mich.; and returning to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, as a junior drill instructor, senior drill instructor, Series Gunnery Sergeant and Chief Instructor, Reassigned to Drill Instructor School, he was an Instructor, Drill Master, and Chief Instructor.

After completing First Sergeant School, he was assigned to Special Projects at Drill Instructor School, where he undertook the enormous task of completely transferring the Drill Manual onto video tape for a more optimal use during instructional periods. His promotion to first sergeant in February 1979 led to his second assignment on Okinawa as the First Sergeant, Headquarters and Service Co. 8th Engineer Battalion.

Upon his return from overseas, he was the First Sergeant of both Company B and C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Promoted to his present rank in October 1983, Sergeant Major Overstreet became the Inspector Sergeant Major, MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms. Returning to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, he served as a Battalion and Regimental Sergeant Major in the Recruit Training Regiment. Transferring to Camp Lejeune, N.C., he served as the 6th Marines Sergeant Major. This assignment was followed by duty as Regimental Sergeant Major, 12th Marines, Okinawa.

On April 6, 1990, Sergeant Major Overstreet was posted as Depot Sergeant Major at San Diego. He was selected as the 12th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps in April 1991, and assumed the post on June 28, 1991.

Sergeant Major Gene Overstreet, the 12th Sergeant Major of tSergeant Major Overstreet's personal decorations include: Distinguished Service Medal; Superior Service Medal; the Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal; and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Upon retiring from the Marine Corps, (June 29, 1995), he worked for various insurance companies including Academy Insurance, Providian Insurance and Aegon. He held positions as Vice President of Military Marketing; Regional Vice President for Production; and, Vice President for Field Development. On August 22, 2003 he accepted the Non-Commissioned Officers Association's top position and assumed his duties as President and National Commander.

In February 2007 Sergeant Major Overstreet started Veterans Direct Inc., a Texas (C) corporation.

He is married to the former Jeanne Miller of Plainview, TX. They have one son, Jarrod.