An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Marines


Biography

 

Sergeant Major Hector A. Sanchez
Inspector-Instructor Command Senior Enlisted Leader
1st Battalion, 23d Marines

Sergeant Major Sanchez enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as Military Police and Corrections Option in 2004.  He reported to Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, California and completed follow on training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas for training as a Corrections Specialist.

Sergeant Major Sanchez reported to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for his first assignment as a Corrections Specialist.  Shortly into his first assignment, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal in 2005.  During his same tour he completed an assignment as Driver and Protocol Noncommissioned Officer for the Marine Corps Base Commanding Officer.  At the end of this assignment, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and returned to the Camp Lejeune Base Brig for assignment as Watch Supervisor.  

In 2008, Sergeant Major Sanchez transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California to earn the prestigious title of Marine Corps Drill Instructor.  He served as a Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor, Receiving Drill Instructor, and Senior Drill Instructor.  Upon successful completion of his Special Duty Assignment in 2011, Sergeant Major Sanchez was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. 

In 2011, he received orders to Camp Pendleton, California for assignment as Duty Brig Supervisor.  In 2012, Sergeant Major Sanchez was transferred to First Law Enforcement Battalion where he served as Detainee Operations Staff Noncommissioned Officer and Non-lethal Weapons Instructor.  In 2013, Sergeant Major Sanchez deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and served as Detainee Operations Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge.  In 2014, Sergeant Major Sanchez redeployed and received orders to Marine Security Guard (MSG) School, Quantico, Virginia.    

In 2015, Sergeant Major Sanchez graduated MSG School as the Honor Graduate and High Shooter among his SNCO peer group.  He served as the Detachment Commander at U.S. Consulates in Chengdu, China and Monterrey, Mexico.  Additionally, he served as interim Detachment Commander in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan in between those assignments. 

In 2018, he reported to the Base Brig, Security and Emergency Services Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California, and served as Senior Corrections Counselor where he managed a client caseload of high-profile prisoners and detainees.  

In 2019, he was selected to the rank of First Sergeant and immediately transferred to 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, where he deployed with Headquarters and Service Company in support of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 2.19.  In 2020, Sergeant Major Sanchez participated in the Southwest Border Mission, El Centro Sector, as First Sergeant, Company A.   

In April 2021, Sergeant Major Sanchez transferred to Site Support, Company C as the Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant in Corpus Christi, Texas.  In August 2023, he was promoted to his current rank and transferred to 1st Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division, where he serves as the Inspector-Instructor Sergeant Major.  

Sergeant Major Sanchez is a graduate of American Military University with a bachelor's degree in psychology.  His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.