First Sergeant Lanier is a native of Dallas, Texas and raised in Lakeland, Florida. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended recruit training in Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina in August, 2005. He reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, Jacksonville, North Carolina for training at Infantry Training Battalion, where he received the MOS of 0311.
Upon completion of school, Lanier reported for duty to 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines 3rd Marine Division Echo Company, Marine Corps Base Hawaii in March 2006. Shortly after he deployed to Haditha, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from September 2006 to April 2007. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal February, 2006. In December, 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal, meritoriously. Lanier was then deployed to Karma, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February to August, 2008. In May, 2009 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Lanier was then deployed to Southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from May to November, 2009.
In January, 2010, Lanier reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina for Drill Instructor Duty. Upon completion of school, he was assigned to Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. He completed seven cycles during his three year tour, two of which were as a Senior Drill Instructor. He completed his quota as the 2nd Battalion Color Sergeant.
In May of 2013, Lanier was assigned to Kilo Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California where he held multiple SNCO billets to include Platoon Sergeant and Company Operations Chief. In April, 2015 he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was moved to Weapons Company where he served as an 81mm Mortar Platoon Section Leader. Shortly after he deployed on the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
In July of 2016, Lanier reported to Naval Support Facility Thurmont, Maryland (Camp David) where he served as the Marine Security Company Guard Chief. Lanier led the daily guard operations and coordinated with other agencies in support of presidential visits. Lanier was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant December, 2018.
March 2020, Gunnery Sergeant Lanier reported to Marine Security Guard School, Quantico, Virginia for training to become a Detachment Commander. After school he was assigned as the detachment commander in Lagos, Nigeria and Guangzhou, China.
June 2022, Lanier was promoted to his current rank of First Sergeant and currently serves as the Inspector & Instructor First Sergeant for Military Police Company Alpha.