First Sergeant Santos enlisted in the Marine Corps out of Reading, Pennsylvania in February of 2007 and completed recruit training at MCRD, Parris Island. Following recruit training; Private Santos attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, NC where he graduated in the top 5% of his peers. Private Santos attended the Personnel Administration School Camp Johnson, NC and was promoted to Private First Class. Upon completion, he was assigned the MOS 0151.
In August of 2007, Private First Class Santos reported to MCRD Parris Island where he was assigned to the Recruit Training Regiment, for duty as an administrative clerk. While assigned to the Regiment, Private First Class Santos accomplished many accolades including being promoted to Lance Corporal, meritoriously promoted to Corporal and Sergeant, as well as being named Non-commissioned Officer of the Year in 2009.
In February 2010, Sergeant Santos was then transferred to Camp Pendleton, CA where he was assigned to the 1st Marine Logistics Group. While assigned, Sergeant Santos served as the G-1 Non-commissioned Officer in charge. Sergeant Santos later deployed to Afghanistan in August 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While deployed Sergeant Santos was assigned to the Commanding General's Personal Security Detachment and served as the Sergeant Major's Enlisted Aide. Sergeant Santos attended the Martial Arts Instructor course and graduated as a Black Belt Instructor in January 2011.
Shortly after returning from Afghanistan in April 2011, Sergeant Santos was transferred to the 6th Marine Corps District where he served as the Personnel Chief, Color Sergeant and also as a member of the Commanding Officer's Inspection team. Sergeant Santos was again recognized for his hard work by being named the Non-commissioned Officer of the Year for 2012. He was subsequently meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant in April 2013. Staff Sergeant Santos was transferred for duty with the Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in July 2013 where he served as the Staff Non-commissioned Officer in charge of the IPAC Inbound section.
Staff Sergeant Santos was transferred to serve as the Administrative Chief for VMFA(AW)-224 where he has participated in two Unit Deployments to the Western Pacific. While attached to this command Staff Sergeant Santos also served as the Squadron Gunnery Sergeant before detaching and reporting into Drill Instructor School in January 2017. Upon graduation Staff Sergeant Santos was named the Honor Graduate and further assigned to the Second Recruit Training Battalion.
While assigned to Second Recruit Training Battalion First Sergeant Santos was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. He served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Chief Drill Instructor, and Company First Sergeant in multiple training companies. He was then assigned to Support Battalion, where he served as Company First Sergeant, Special Training Company and the Battalion Operations Chief. Upon completion of his Special Duty assignment he was transferred to 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 6th Marine Regiment in April 2020.
While assigned to 1st Battalion 8th Marines, Gunnery Sergeant Santos deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as the Battalion Landing Team Administrative Chief. He also served as the Headquarters and Service Company senior enlisted advisor responsible for the Marines embarked aboard the USS San Antonio. Gunnery Sergeant Santos took part of the Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation in Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan in August 2021 where he assisted in the security of the Airport and the eventual evacuation of over 124,000 refugees and citizens from Afghanistan. Upon return from deployment Gunnery Sergeant Santos was selected to the rank of First Sergeant and ordered to Parris Island, SC where he served as the Company First Sergeant for Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion.
After just over 14 months at this unit 4th Recruit Training Battalion was deactivated and First Sergeant Santos recieved orders and reported for duty at his current assignment as the Senior Enlisted Unit Leader for Site Support Marine Wing Support Squadrn 471 DET (-), Minneapolis MN.
First Sergeant Santos' personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Gold Star in Lieu of 3rd award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Gold Star in Lieu of 2nd award, Combat Action Ribbon Gold Star in Lieu of 2nd Award, and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal Bronze Star in Lieu of 2nd award.