First Sergeant Félix J. Montañez, is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico (PR), he joined the Selected Marine Corps Reserves (SMCR) in December of 1998. He completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island on August 20, 1999, and later attended Basic Landing Support School in Camp Johnson, North Carolina where he graduated on November 9, 1999, after being promoted to Private First Class (PFC) on November 1, 1999. PFC Montañez was attached to 3rd Longshoreman (LSM) Platoon (Plt), Naval Station Roosevelt Roads (NSRR) in Ceiba, PR. In February 2000 PFC Montañez volunteered to assist the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in the removal of protestors from the naval gun ranges in the island of Vieques and the later logistical movement of FBI’s gear and equipment out of NSRR. His actions during this operation earned him a Meritorious Mast from the thirty second Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James L. Jones.
In August 2000, after being promoted to Lance Corporal (LCpl) he successfully completed the Combat Water Safety Swimmer Course. In February 2003, LCpl Montañez was mobilized as part of 3rd LSM Plt and stationed in March Air Force Reserve Base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In March 2003, LCpl Montañez was assigned to 4th Platoon, Combat Service Support Company (CSSC) 147 in Camp Pendleton. During his time with CSSC 147, LCpl Montañez had the opportunity to complete schools like Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (S.E.R.E.; May 2003), Shipboard Security (June 2003) and Desert Environment Survival Training (D.E.S.T.; November 2003). Additionally, during this time, he completed trainings like Machine Gunners course, helicopter underwater evacuation trainings and grey belt from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). LCpl Montañez was promoted to Corporal (CPL) and re-deployed to 3rd Longshoreman Plt in April 2004. On August 7, 2004 Cpl Montañez graduated the residential Corporal’s Leadership Course in 4th Landing Support (LS) Battalion (Bn), Fort Lewis Washington. In January of 2006 Cpl Montañez was promoted to Sergeant (Sgt). He was again mobilized in May 2007 in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Platoon Sergeant of the LS Plt, Transport Support Company (Co), Second Supply Bn. During this time his duties also included being the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) in Charge of the Joint Air Cargo Operations Terminal in Al-Taqaddum, Iraq. While in theater he also completed Green and Brown belt MCMAP training and was selected for promotion to Staff Sergeant (SSgt). After his re-deployment to the 3rd LS Plt, Sgt Montañez quickly assumed the duties of Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA). In November of 2008 he was promoted to SSgt and continued to serve as SEA until February 2012 when he moved to the Individual Ready Reserves in order to complete his legal studies.
While at the IRR SSgt Montañez got selected and promoted to Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt). In December of 2017, after the passing of hurricanes Irma and María through PR, GySgt Montañez returned to the SMCR; he was attached as the Operations Chief to the LS Co, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, in Fort Hunter, Savannah, Georgia. In July 2019, GySgt Montañez was mobilized as part of the Georgia Liaison Team (GLT), Rotation 10, in support of operation Resolute Support. During the preparations for deployment GySgt Montañez completed the Marine Advisor Course and obtained the secondary Military Occupational Skill of Foreign Security Forces Advisor. GySgt Montañez served as the Logistics Chief of the GLT, supervising the S-4 section, ultimately responsible for the logistical movement of sixty Air Naval Gun Liaison Co. personnel, infantry personnel, support staff and their gear through their preparations for deployment inside the continental United States and their later movement to and through Europe. Once in Georgia, the GLT was attached to the 12th Georgian Light Infantry Battalion (GLIB). His responsibilities then included the supervision, training and mentoring of the GLIB’s logistics’ personnel and the movement of the 12th GLIB’s personnel and equipment to and from Georgia and Germany, and later to and from Georgia to Afghanistan. During his deployment to Afghanistan, GySgt Montañez excelled in his duties ensuring that the GLT and the 12th GLIB were always combat ready and in developing long lasting relationships. For these efforts he was awarded the “General Kvinitadze” Medal by the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Georgia.
Following his fifteen-month deployment, GySgt Montañez returned to LS Co. CLR 45 in Savannah, where he was the LS Plt acting commander until August of 2021, when he was asked to act as Inspector-Instructor (I&I) First Sergeant, for Detachment 1, LS Co CLR 45 in Fort Buchanan, PR. There his responsibilities included, advising the I&I staff and Detachment Commander as the Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL), maintain accountability, good order, discipline and morale, as well as teaching, coaching, mentoring and developing all SNCOs, NCOs and junior Marines part of the active and reserve components. GySgt Montanez was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his performance during this period.
Gunnery Sergeant Montañez was selected for the rank of First Sergeant and promoted in April 2022. First Sergeant Montañez was then assigned as the SEL of Headquarters Company, Intelligence Support Battalion.
First Sergeant Montañez’s awards include; the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal with 3 bronze stars, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 1 bronze star, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with 2 bronze stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with numeral 3, “M” and bronze hourglass device and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal-Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. As well as the foreign nation decoration, “General Kvinitadze” Medal by the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Georgia.
First Sergeant Montañez currently resides in Harlingen, Texas. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Curry College in Milton, MA, a Master of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from the Inter-American University Metropolitan Campus and a Juris Doctor Degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, School of Law in Ponce, PR.