Sergeant Major Jose Montoya is a native of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in July 2003. He attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. Upon completion of recruit training, Marine Combat Training, and the Marine Corps Engineer School at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he earned the Military Occupational Specialty of 1142, Engineer Equipment Electrical Systems Technician.
In April 2004, Sergeant Major Montoya reported to Headquarters Battery, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Fort Worth, Texas, where he served in the Motor Transport/Engineer Platoon as a Fire Team Leader and later as a Squad Leader.
In June 2006, Sergeant Major Montoya mobilized with 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment and deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the deployment, he served as a Motor Transport Operator with Headquarters and Service Company and Company A.
Following his deployment, Sergeant Major Montoya returned to Headquarters Battery, 14th Marine Regiment, where he served in positions of increasing responsibility, including Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the Utilities Section, Platoon Sergeant, and Utilities Chief.
In 2012 and 2013, Sergeant Major Montoya participated in Exercise African Lion in Morocco, serving as the Utilities Chief for the 14th Marine Regiment Combat Operations Center. In 2017, he supported Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations in response to Hurricane Harvey in Orange and Beaumont, Texas. In 2019, he participated in Exercise Dynamic Front in Ādaži, Latvia.
In June 2020, Sergeant Major Montoya was assigned as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader for Company B, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment. In June 2023, he assumed duties as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader for Rocket Battery F, 2d Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment. In April 2025, he transferred to Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, where he continued serving as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader.
In December 2025, Sergeant Major Montoya was promoted to his current rank and assumed duties as the Battalion Sergeant Major for 3d Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment.
Sergeant Major Montoya holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, with an emphasis in Law Enforcement Leadership, from Texas A&M University–Commerce. His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star in lieu of a second award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star in lieu of a second award, and the Combat Action Ribbon.