José L. Santiago

Sergeant Major Jose Luis Santiago (born 1960 in Puerto Rico) is a member of the United States Marine Corps who has the distinction of being the 2nd Battalion 9th Marines' first Hispanic Sergeant Major and its first Sergeant Major since its reactivation on July 13, 2007. Currently assigned to Marine Corps Recruiting Command Recruiting Station Jacksonville, 6th Marine Corps District

Early years
Santiago was born in Puerto Rico where he received his primary and secondary education. He joined the Marine Corps in 1982 and was sent to Marine Recruit Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina, USA where he received his basic training.

Military career
After he graduated from basic training, he was sent to Infantry Training School at Camp Geiger, North Carolina to further his specialized training in his assigned Military Occupational Specialty of Mortar man (MOS 0341). In July of that year, Santiago was sent to Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California where he attended Sea School.

On August 21, 1982, he reported to Marine Detachment USS Holland at Charleston, South Carolina. He was a Nuclear Security sentry and eventually acted as the Sergeant of the guard. Some of his duties included the security for SSBN submarines maintenance of Trident Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. During this time, he was able to attend the Army Airborne course and NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) School at Parris Island.

Santiago was reassigned in 1984 to Headquarters & Service Company (H&S Co.), 8th Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as the Training and Directives NCO. He received his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in March 1985.

As a Reservist, Santiago was assigned to the Beach & Port Company, 4th Landing Support Bn of San Juan, Puerto Rico as a member of the Marine Corp Reserves.

Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
Santiago was ordered back to active duty and participated in both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm as member of the 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion. His duties included 81mm Mortar Squad and Section Leader, Weapons Platoon Commander and Sergeant.

Santiago continued to further his military training by attending the Infantry Platoon Sergeant, Army Ranger, and Mortar Leader courses in Fort Benning, Georgia SNCO Career course at MCAS El Toro, California and the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) school at North Island Naval Base, California.

Only enlisted personnel to attend the Infantry Officer Course Class 2-97
From 1994 to 1999, Santiago served in various assignments to undertake more military courses. He served in the 4th Marine Regiment Reconnaissance Platoon of the 3rd Marine Division and Reconnaissance Company, HQBN, 3rd Marine Division participating in several theater training operations. He attended the Helicopter Rope Suspension Training course and Cast Master course with the III MEF Special Operations Training Group and in January 1997, then SSgt Santiago, volunteered to attend the Infantry Officer Course being the only enlisted personnel in the course while assigned to Advanced Infantry Training Company, SOI(W), Camp Pendlenton, CA. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in August 1998.

In April 1999, he had orders to report to the Military Group, U.S. Embassy at Santiago, Chile for duties with the Naval Section as an SNCO Personnel Exchange Program (PEP) with the Chilean Marine Corps assigned to the Chilean Marine Corps School of Infantry as an Instructor in the Chilean Marine Corps Commando course. During this tour he was awarded the Chilean Marine Corps Parachutist badge after graduating and conducting multiple military jumps with the host nation.

First Sergeant
In August 2001, Santiago was re-assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Bn, 1st Marine Division as the Co B, Operations Chief and later promoted to the rank of First Sergeant. He participated in two OIF deployments (2003, 2004) as a Company 1stSgt. Santiago was re-assigned to the 3rd Longshoreman Platoon, 4th Landing Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group as the First Sergeant of the Inspector-Instructor Staff, Naval Activity Puerto Rico which was located at the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. He was promoted to Sergeant Major (E-9) on the last day of this tour. Aside from Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt) and Sergeant Major are the highest enlisted ranks in the Marine Corps

Sergeant Major
On July 13, 2007, 2nd Battalion 9th Marines was re-activated and replacing the Anti-Terrorism Battalion (ATBN). Sergeant Major Jose L. Santiago has the distinction of being the 2nd Battalion 9th Marines first Hispanic Sergeant Major and its first Sergeant Major since its reactivation.

Recruiting Duty
On Feb 2010, SgtMaj Santiago was ordered to report to Recruiting Station Jacksonville, FL to become the Station's Sergeant Major and join the team of Professionals in this special duty assignment in the continue task to search for the best qualified civilian applicants to have the honor and privilege to become the new batch of U.S. Marines.

Awards and decorations
Sergeant Major Santiago's awards include the following:


 * Meritorious Service ribbon.svg Meritorious Service Medal with gold star
 * Joint Service Commendation ribbon.svg Joint Service Commendation Medal
 * Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg  Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold star and the Combat Distinguished Device
 * Combat Action Ribbon.svg Combat Action Ribbon with gold star
 * Marine Corps Good Conduct ribbon.svg Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with one silver star and two bronze stars
 * National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
 * Iraq Campaign ribbon.svg Iraq Campaign Medal with four bronze stars
 * Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
 * Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.svg Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with two bronze stars
 * Us kw-kwlib rib.png Kuwait Liberation Medal
 * Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon.svg Marine Corps Recruiting ribbon

Badges
 * NavJumpWings.jpg Naval Parachuist Badge

Foreign Award
 * Chilean Marine Corps Parachutist badge