First Sergeant Daniel Levi Estes is a native of Carthage, Missouri. He grew up in a small farming town in Miller, Missouri. He filled his free time with Basketball, Football, and Baseball. Progressing into high school, he continued being active with sports but set his goal to join the Marine Corps after 9/11 happened his senior year of high school.
On 6 April 2003, he went to Basic training Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, California. He attended School of Infantry and Graduated Honor Guide of his Company. He then reported to Security Forces Battalion where he was assigned a 2-year contract. As a Close Quarters Battalion (CQB) Marine, he then volunteered to leave the unit early to assist in the current war Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In Aug 2004, as a Corporal, he deployed to Fallujah, Iraq with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Regiment from Camp Pendleton, California. While serving overseas for 9 months, he was awarded numerous medals including Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, and several more.
Upon returning stateside, he continued to prepare and train the marines of 1/1 to deploy again to Iraq. Knowing he wouldn’t deploy again with his unit due to time left on his 4-year contract, he passed his Marine Corps experiences and knowledge to his peers and junior Marines. During this time, Corporal Estes was promoted to Sergeant of Marines on April 1, 2006. Sergeant Estes last Active-duty day was 7 April 2007.
Sergeant Estes joined 3/23 Weapons Company of the United States Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR) January 2011, located in Springfield, Missouri. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant on April 1, 2013. Staff Sergeant Estes was provided the opportunity to relocate as a Company Gunny with 3/23 India Company in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he participated in a special Annual Training (AT) in Odesa, Ukraine.
Staff Sergeant Estes joined 3/23 Weapons Company once again in November 2016 to be closer to home and participate in a special Annual Training (AT) in Senegal, Africa. SSgt Estes also deployed with Southcom to Belize as a Senior Tactics Instructor. During that time, SSgt Estes ran MiTT Teams to Costa Rica and Jamaica. SSgt Estes was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in June 2019.
Gunnery Sergeant Estes was acting as the Company Gunny, Operations Chief and at the end of his time with 3/23 Weapons Company, the Company First Sergeant. Gunnery Sergeant Estes was selected for First Sergeant in 2023. In June 2023, First Sergeant Estes arrived at his current command as the Unit Senior Enlisted Advisor at H&S Company 2nd Battalion 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division in Fort Sheridan, IL.
First Sergeant Estes' personal decorations include the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 1 gold star, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon.