Sergeant Major Octaya S. Jones enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on May 23, 2001, reporting to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, South Carolina. After earning the title, she attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, and Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) school for 2311, Ammunition Technician, at Marine Detachment Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. In November 2001, she reported to Ammunition Company, 3d Material Readiness Battalion, 3d Force Service Support Group, on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan.
In April 2002, she transferred to Weapons and Field Training Battalion, MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina. She served in the Training Clerk and Ammunition Technician billets. In January 2005, she reported to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Forces Pacific, aboard Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii, as the Ammunition Chief, where she earned the rank of Sergeant. In January 2008, she reported to Ammunition Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion aboard Camp Pendleton, California, serving as the Records NCOIC. She deployed as the Ammunition Chief with 1st Maintenance Battalion (-) (REIN) to Al Taqaddum, Iraq, to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant in January 2009. Upon
return from deployment in March 2009, she served at Ammunition Company, 1st Supply Battalion, as the Records Chief for the Las Pulgas Ammunition Supply Point.
In July 2010, she reported to Drill Instructor School on MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina where she earned the additional MOS 0911, Drill Instructor, and graduated as Class 4-10 "Iron Woman." She then reported to Papa Company, Fourth Recruit Training Battalion. While there, she served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor and earned the additional MOS 0916, Marital Arts Instructor. In August 2013, she returned to the Fleet Marine Force, reporting to Ammunition Company, 3d Supply Battalion aboard Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. She served as the Records Chief, Storage Area Supervisor, and Issues SNCOIC during her time there. She was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in July 2015 and then served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant. In September 2016, she reported to the Command Element of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, serving as the MEU Ammunition Chief and Female Engagement Team (FET) SNCOIC.
In June 2019, First Sergeant Jones returned to the drill field to serve as the Company First Sergeant for Oscar Company, Fourth Recruit Training Battalion on MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina. In August 2021, she reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. While there, she served as the Company First Sergeant for Airfield Operations Company, then as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for Personnel Support Detachment, Headquarters, Marine Aircraft Group 11.
In December 2022, Sergeant Major Jones reported to the Inspector-Instructor staff as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader at Site Support, 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group in San Diego, California.
Sergeant Major Jones holds an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Chaminade University of Honolulu. Personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars in lieu of a third award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various other Service and Campaign medals.