José L. Santiago

Jose Luis Santiago
Sergeant Major Jose Luis Santiago
Born	1960 (age 55–56) San Juan, Puerto Rico
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps United States Marine Corps Reserve
Years of service	1982-2012
Rank	Sergeant Major
Commands held	Sergeant Major Recruiting Station Jacksonville, FL 2nd Battalion 9th Marines
Battles/wars	Operation Desert Shield Operation Desert Storm Iraq War
Awards	Meritorious Service Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star and Combat Distinguished Device Combat Action Ribbon with gold star

Sergeant Major Jose Luis Santiago (born 1960 in San Juan, 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

Military career

After graduating from boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, 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.^[1]

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.

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 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.^[1]

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.^[1]

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.^[2]

See also

• List of Puerto Ricans
• List of Puerto Rican military personnel
• 2nd Battalion 9th Marines
• Hispanics in the United States Marine Corps

References