Sergeant Major Juan V. Vasquez Jr is a native of Hollywood, Florida. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in July of 2003 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. After completion of School of Infantry and obtaining the MOS of 0311 Rifleman he reported for duty with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines. During his tour he participated in OIF 2-2 Phantom Fury, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Katrina and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of OIF 5-7.
In April of 2007, Sergeant Vasquez reported to Company D, Infantry Training Battalion School of Infantry -East as a Combat Instructor. While assigned to Company D he served as a Combat Instructor for 10 classes. On his off cycle he obtained the MOS of 0331 Machine Gunner. He was then transferred to Infantry Train the Trainer / Combat Hunter Instructor Section; Instructor Training Company, Advance Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-East and deployed as part of SOUTHCOM Counter Narco-Terrorism 2034 in support of Colombian Marine Corps (COLMAR), Republic of Colombia.
Upon completion of his Special Duty Assignment Sergeant Vasquez received orders to 2d Battalion, 3d Marines. He deployed as a Squad Leader with Fox Company in support of RIMPAC 2010, OEF 10-2 and AMERICAL 2011. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in 2011 and was assigned as the Machine Gun section leader. He then deployed as part of the first Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) in Australia, participating in Landing Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2012 (LF CARAT 2012) in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
In 2013, Staff Sergeant Vasquez received orders to Bravo Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team, Marine Corps Security Force Regiment. He was assigned as the Platoon Sergeant for 2d platoon and completed two workups and two deployments to Yokosuka, Japan participating in numerous training exercises throughout the Pacific.
In April 2016, he was meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and received orders to 1st Battalion, 2d Marines. Gunnery Sergeant Vasquez served as the Platoon Sergeant for Combined Anti-Armor Team 2 “Reaper” in Weapons Company and as the Company Gunnery Sergeant for Alpha Company where he deployed to Italy, Spain, and Africa as part of SPMAGTF 17.1. In 2019 Gunnery Sergeant Vasquez deployed on the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as part of BLT 1/2.
Upon his return from the 22nd MEU Gunnery Sergeant Vasquez was selected as the 2D Marine Division Classified Materials Control Center SNCOIC where he performed his duties and was selected to First Sergeant.
In March of 2020 Gunnery Sergeant Vasquez was frocked to First Sergeant, received orders to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, and served as the Company First Sergeant for India Company where he participated in Task Force Commitment at MCRD Parris Island and The Citadel. He then deployed to Norway as part of Marine Rotational Force-Europe 21. Upon return from Norway First Sergeant Vasquez was assigned as the Company First Sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company where he participated in Operations Allies Welcome.
In February 2022 First Sergeant Vasquez was transferred to Deployment Processing Command/Reserve Support Unit-East, Force Headquarters Group, MARFORRES and served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader until his promotion to Sergeant Major.
In July of 2024 Sergeant Major Vasquez assumed his current duties as the Inspector-Instructor Command Senior Enlisted Leader (I&I Sergeant Major) for Combat Logistics Battalion 25, Red Bank, NJ
Sergeant Major Vasquez’s is a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy Class 263, his personal decorations include the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service medal with one gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal two gold stars, and the Combat Action Ribbon with one gold star.