First Sergeant Mario R. Land is a native of Durham, North Carolina. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and reported for recruit training to Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Parris Island on September 10, 2002. Upon completion of recruit training, and having been promoted meritoriously to Private First Class, First Sergeant Land checked into School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Following School of Infantry, First Sergeant Land checked into Aviation “A” School in Pensacola, Florida for basic studies of aircraft aviation, metal work, and hydraulic repairs. Following training in Pensacola Florida, First Sergeant Land then attended “C” school at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training in Jacksonville, North Carolina to study as a helicopter airframes mechanic on the CH-53E in May 2003.

First Sergeant Land received his first fleet orders to HMH-461 “Iron Horse” in July of 2003. As a CH-53E airframes mechanic, he deployed to the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and was the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge for his section in support of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2006. He participated in numerous training exercises and detachments such as Marine Week Chicago, and Fleet Week New York. In August 2007, First Sergeant Land had the distinct privilege to represent the United States Marine Corps in the Combined Service Rugby tournament in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as a member of the All-Marine Rugby 15 team.

First Sergeant Land received orders to HMH-466 in July 2009 and checked into the airframes division. While he was with the “Wolfpack,” First Sergeant Land deployed three separate times to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He supported several Weapons and Tactics Instruction courses, was the Captain of the All-Marine Rugby team, was Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Athlete of the Year twice and was promoted to Staff Sergeant. In 2014, First Sergeant Land was selected as Captain of the Combined Marine Corps and Navy Rugby team for the Four Nations Maritime Cup in Auckland, New Zealand.

In January of 2015, First Sergeant Land received orders to HMH-463 and served as the Division Chief for Quality Assurance Division as a Staff Sergeant. Along with his aircraft maintenance duties, he continued to represent the Marine Corps Rugby team, deployed in support of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge. First Sergeant Land attended Marine Security Guard School in May 2018 and was assigned to Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he married his beautiful bride, Negin. After a successful tour in Freetown, First Sergeant Land was then assigned to US Consulate Munich, Germany in January 2020. During this tour, First Sergeant Land was selected to return to Marine Security Guard School, to be an instructor advisor. After selection to his current rank of First Sergeant, he was assigned to Marine Corps Advisory Company Alpha, Washington, D.C.

First Sergeant Land’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two Gold Stars.