Marines


Biography

 

Master Gunnery Sergeant David A. Arellano
Senior Enlisted Advisor
Marine Innovation Unit

Master Gunnery Sergeant David Arellano is a native of Los Angeles, California. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in July 1998 and attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. In November 1998 he was transferred to USMC Artillery DET, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) training graduating as a Fire Support Man. In December 1998 he was transferred to EWTGPAC Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, San Diego, California for additional MOS training in Naval Gunfire.

In January of 1999, Private First Class Arellano checked into the Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, California, Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division where he served as a Fire Support Man in the Regimental Fire Support Coordination Center.

In June of 2005, 5th Battalion, 14th Marines was mobilized and Sergeant Arellano was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He completed a combat tour and was demobilized in June of 2006. 

In August of 2006, Sergeant Arellano promoted to Staff Sergeant and became the Fire Support Coordination Chief at 5th Battalion, 14th Marines. In June 
2009, he assumed the duties of the Battery Gunnery Sergeant for Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 14th Marines.

Staff Sergeant Arellano was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant on August 1, 2010. Gunnery Sergeant Arellano was then tasked with performing the duties of the First Sergeant for Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 14th Marines for the next two years. In late 2012, Gunnery Sergeant Arellano returned to duty as the Fires Section Chief serving within the battalion.

In December of 2014, he was promoted to Master Sergeant and transferred to the Reserve Support Officer (RSO) program with Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Quantico, Virginia where he served as a Reserve Support SNCO for three years with Recruiting Station Los Angeles, 12th Marine District. He then assumed duties of the 12th Marine District RSO Sergeant Major for an additional two years.

In January of 2020, Master Sergeant Arellano transferred into the Regimental Fires Chief billet for the Force Artillery Headquarters at 14th Marine Regiment, Fort Worth, Texas. On the fiscal year 2021 SNCO Promotion Board, Master Gunnery Sergeant Arellano was selected for promotion and remained 14th Marine Regiment’s Fires Chief and the senior 0861 in the Marine Reserves. 

In November of 2024, Master Gunnery Sergeant Arellano was selected to serve as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the newly established Marine Innovation Unit and assumed his official duties on March 1, 2024.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Arellano’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal seventh award.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Arellano has earned two associate degrees from College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, California. He has worked as a Firefighter for the Los Angeles City Fire Department for over 18 years. In his off time, Master Gunnery Sergeant Arellano volunteers at his local high school where he has been a cross country and track and field coach for the past 10 years. He also is a senior volunteer leader with a Christian youth outreach group called Young Life.