Sergeant Major Bell was born in Bayboro, North.Carolina. on 22 January 1960. He entered the Marine Corps in July 1978 at Parris Island, South Carolina.  After completing recruit training and the school of infantry, he was assigned to Marine Barracks Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  There he worked as a security guard at Westlock Guard Detachment.  In January of 1980 he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal.  Corporal Bell later received orders to Third Battalion, Sixth Marines.  He was assigned to Scout Targeting Acquisition Platoon and worked as a Scout Sniper.  In 1981 Sergeant Bell deployed with Second Battalion, Sixth Marines, Second Marines Division to the Mediterranean Sea

On March 1982 he was reassigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina for duty as a Drill Instructor.  There he held the billet of Senior Drill Instructor and received a meritorious promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant. 

After his tour on the Drill Field in August of 1984, he was transferred to Marine Barracks Subic Bay, Philippines.  There he was assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Platoon as the Platoon Sergeant of more than 120 Marines.  In 1987, he was reassigned to 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  There he was assigned to Weapons Company, Third Battalion, Sixth Marines as a Dragon Section Leader and later as Platoon Sergeant for Lima Company.

During October of 1991, he received orders to Headquarters Marine Corps where he held the billet of Company Gunnery Sergeant.  In November 1994, Gunnery Sergeant Bell was selected and transferred to the United States Naval Academy for duty as a Senior Enlisted Advisor for Midshipmen.  Gunnery Sergeant Bell was one of the first 36 Senior Enlisted Advisors ever to serve at the Naval Academy.  His tour lasted until May of 1996 where he was then selected to the rank of First Sergeant, and was reassigned to Parris Island, South Carolina.  There he served as the First Sergeant for 1st Battalion Bravo Company.  Bravo Company was chosen to execute the first official Crucible during Recruit Training; which was televised nationally. 

In June 1999 he received orders to Third FSSG Material Readiness Battalion Okinawa, Japan,   On 28 March 2000 Sergeant Major Bell was selected to his present rank, and was assigned as the Sergeant Major for Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron 4. 

In June 2002 Sergeant Major Bell was transferred to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Cherry point N.C. as the Sergeant Major for Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Training Squadron 253 .

In September 2004 he assumed his present duties as the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Sergeant Major

His personal decorations and awards include the following; The Meritorious Service Medal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one Gold Star in Lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Combat Action Ribbon.