Sergeant Major Fay enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January 1998 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Upon completion of recruit training, he attended infantry training at the School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, California, where he received the military occupational specialty of 0341 Mortarman.
Assignments in Operating Forces include: Assistant Gunner, Gunner, Section Leader and Forward Observer, Rifle Security Company Leeward, Marine Barracks, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Squad Leader, Section Leader, Assistant Team Leader and Team Leader, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines; Training Chief and Chief Scout, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines; Weapons Platoon Sergeant, Company Gunnery Sergeant and Company First Sergeant, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines; Company First Sergeant, 7th Communication Battalion; Squadron Sergeant Major, Marine Wing Support Squadron 272; Battalion Sergeant Major, 8th Engineer Support Battalion; Regimental Sergeant Major, Combat Logistics Regiment 27; Group Sergeant Major, 4th Marine Logistics Group.
Assignments in Supporting Establishments include: Martial Arts Instructor Trainer and Chief Instructor, 1st Marine Division Schools; Line SNCO and Range SNCOIC, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Edson Range; Faculty Advisor, Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Camp Pendleton; Faculty Advisor, Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Okinawa; Director, Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Hawaii.
Sergeant Major Fay's personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, and the Combat Action Ribbon with gold star.