First Sergeant Votta currently serves as the Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant for 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Delta Company, Detachment Delta, located on Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER) Alaska.
First Sergeant Votta is a native of San Jose, California. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 6 June 2006 and attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. Upon graduation, Private First Class Votta attended the School of Infantry, Infantry Training Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California. Upon completion and designated MOS as 0311, Private First Class Votta received orders to Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines (3/3), Lima Company, 2nd Platoon.
Private First Class Votta upon arrival was assigned as a Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) gunner for his team. On Mar 1, 2007, he was promoted to Lance Corporal. In August 2007, Lance Corporal Votta deployed with 3/3 to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). During this period, Lance Corporal Votta served as a SAW gunner for his team and squad as well as lead gunner while conducting mounted patrols. Lance Corporal Votta participated in numerous mounted and dismounted combat missions in and near the city of Karma, Iraq. In February 2008, Lance Corporal Votta returned from Iraq with 3/3 and was selected to attend Infantry Squad Leaders Course (ISLC). After Completion of ISLC Lance Corporal Votta was assigned to 3rd Platoon Lima Company 3/3 as a squad leader and begin to train his Marines for their next deployment to Iraq.
On September 2, 2008, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal Meritoriously. In April 2009, Corporal Votta executed his second deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, with 3/3. While on this deployment Corporal Votta reenlisted for his first time and conducted a lateral move to the Military Police Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) 5811. In February 2010 he received orders to Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCBH to start the transition to becoming a 5811. Shortly after reporting to the MCBH Provost Marshall’s Office (PMO) Corporal Votta attended the Military Police NCO course, where he earned the MOS of 5811. After graduating this course Corporal Votta reported back to PMO MCBH where he was assigned as a patrolman, and the billet of Desk Sergeant. Shortly after Corporal Votta received orders to Combat Logistics Regiment (CLR)-27 Military Police Company.
On 6 June 2011 Corporal Votta reported in to CLR-27 MP Company where he was assigned as a squad leader. Shortly after reporting to this unit, he was selected to be a Military Police Advisor Team Lead attached to 1st Battalion, 8th Marines (1/8). Corporal Votta attended the Military Police Advisor’s Gold Course in Twenty Nine Palms. In January of 2012 Corporal Votta was deployed to Kajaki Afghanistan with 1/8 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) as an Advisor. On 1 March 2012 Corporal Votta was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. While deployed Sergeant Votta conducted numerous mounted and dismounted patrols as well as air insert missions. Sergeant Votta completed his tour in Afghanistan and returned to Camp Lejeune N.C. Upon his arrival Sergeant Votta was notified he would be checking into the newly formed 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion (2D LEB). Sergeant Votta checked into 2D LEB and was assigned to Alpha Company as a squad leader. When Alpha Company began pre-deployment workup Sergeant Votta filled the roles of both Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Commander. When Alpha Company deployed Sergeant Votta and the remaining Marines of Alpha Company were transferred to Charlie Company and served as a Platoon Sergeant and company training chief. Sergeant Votta was then selected to be the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Military Police detachment.
Sergeant Votta officially reported to the 22nd MEU in July of 2013 and would serve as the detachments NCOIC. Sergeant Votta while aboard the U.S.S. Mesa Verde assisted in conducting Non-Lethal Weapons Training as well as earning his brown and black belt in MCMAP. Sergeant Votta also conducted training missions with the 22nd MEU.
In December of 2014 Sergeant Votta returned from the MEU and reported back to 2D LEB where he served as a Platoon Sergeant. Sergeant Votta received orders to Fort Leonard Wood (FLW) Military Police Instruction Company (MPIC) and reported in June of 2015. Sergeant Votta was assigned as an MPIC Formal Schools Instructor and went on to earn instructor of the cycle twice and instructor of the quarter. Sergeant Votta was promoted in December of 2015 to the Rank of Staff Sergeant. Staff Sergeant Votta was then transferred to Head Quarters Company and assigned as the Marines Awaiting Training & Transition (MATT) receiving chief. While serving in this billet he conducted countless hours of initial training and urinalysis for the receiving Marines. Staff Sergeant Votta was then transferred to Inter Service Non-Lethal Weapons Instructor Course (INWIC) where he served as an Instructor Trainer for INIWIC.
Staff Sergeant Votta received orders to Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Butler PMO Okinawa Japan in June of 2018. When he reported to this duty station, he was assigned as the Southern district Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC), consisting of Camp Foster, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, and Camp Kinser. He was then transferred to the Services section of PMO to serve as the Training Chief. While serving as the Training Chief he was able to revitalize the training program with an updated and more effective schedule and curriculum. While aboard MCB Butler SSgt Votta was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on November 1 2020. Gunnery Sergeant Votta received orders to return to Fort Leonard Wood (FLW) Military Police Instruction Company (MPIC) and reported to FLW in July of 2021.
Upon arrival to MPIC Gunnery Sergeant Votta assumed the billet of Chief Instructor for the Military Police Basic Course (MPBC). He was directly involved in the development and training of over 800 Military Police students a year, but also directly responsible for the professional development and mentorship of the instructor staff for MPBC. Gunnery Sergeant Votta was then selected to be the Course Chief for Military Police Officers Basic Course (MPOBC) and assumed this billet in October of 2022. While in this billet Gunnery Sergeant Votta conducted five cycles of this course instructing over 50 students ranging from Second Lieutenant to Major. On May 1st, 2024, Gunnery Sergeant Votta was promoted to his current rank of First Sergeant and executed orders in June of 2024 to his current billet of Inspector Instructor First Sergeant for Detachment Delta in JBER Alaska.
First Sergeant Votta’s personal decorations include the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, Combat Action Ribbon, and Good Conduct Medal with 1 silver star.