Gunnery Sergeant Andrew Cortez is a native of Olongapo, Philippines, and enlisted in the Marine Corps after graduating from Barrington High School, Illinois. He began recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, graduating in March 2010. Following recruit training, he attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, California. Upon assignment of the Military Occupational Specialty of Aviation Life Support Systems Technician, he attended formal schooling at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Private First Class Cortez reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29, Jacksonville, North Carolina, in May 2010 as a Flight Equipment Technician.
In January 2011, Lance Corporal Cortez deployed on a Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan, where he served as a Flight Equipment Technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36. While supporting the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, he provided direct support to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 aboard the USS Essex. Upon returning to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29, he was promoted to Corporal in December 2012.
Corporal Cortez served as a Production Controller for the 800 Division, Aviation Life Support Systems, and within Production Control. He was promoted to Sergeant in September 2014.
In May 2015, Sergeant Cortez transitioned from the Active Component to the Active Reserve and received orders to Marine Transport Squadron Andrews, where he served as a Flight Equipment Technician supporting the UC-35D Cessna. During this tour, he deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in November 2017 and again in February 2019. Following two successful deployments, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant in June 2019.
In July 2019, Staff Sergeant Cortez received orders to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. There, he served as a Flight Equipment Technician and Egress Instructor for the UH-1Y Huey and AH-1W Cobra helicopters. He also contributed to the AH-1Z Viper transition in early 2020.
In February 2020, Staff Sergeant Cortez transferred to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 (-), Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, where he supported the CH-53E Super Stallion. During this assignment, he served as the Flight Equipment Division Chief, Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative, and Quality Assurance Safety Observer. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in August 2022.
Gunnery Sergeant Cortez currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader at Marine Transport Squadron Andrews. Gunnery Sergeant Cortez personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal, the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.