Major Joe Santos is a native of Viseu, Portugal. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 22, 2002. He attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC. Upon completion, he attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Geiger, NC. He then graduated from the Artillery Systems Technicians Course at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland and became a Towed Artillery Systems Technician (2131). While enlisted, Major Santos served at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan and Marine Corps Logistics Barstow, CA. In 2005, Major Santos deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 2008, Major Santos was selected to attend the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection Training (BOOST) School in Newport, Rhode Island. Upon Completion of BOOST in 2009, Major Santos reported to University of Kansas Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC).
Major Santos graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS) in July 2010. Upon graduating from OCS, Major Santos returned to University of Kansas NROTC until he graduated in May of 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in African Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. On 20 May 2013, Major Santos was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and reported to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia in August 2013. Major Santos graduated Basic Officers Course in March of 2014 and was assigned to Assault Amphibian School Camp Pendleton, California as an Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) Officer student. Major Santos graduated from the Amphibious Officers Course in October 2014.
Upon graduation Major Santos was assigned as an AAV Platoon Commander, Company C, 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion. From November 2015 to May of 2016, Major Santos deployed on the Unit Deployment Program to Combat Assault Battalion Okinawa, Japan. Upon return, he was selected to lead the 31st Marine Expeditionary AAV Platoon and deployed with Battalion Landing Team 3/5 from May 2017 to November 2017 to the Pacific theatre. Upon his return Major Santos was assigned to Headquarters and Service Company as the Company Executive Officer until his departure to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in June of 2018. Major Santos served as a Series Commander with Company F, 2d Recruit Training Battalion and Company Commander, Company E, 2d Recruit Training Battalion until his departure to Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) in 2021. Upon graduation from Major Santos received orders back to 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion where he served as Company Commander for Company C and Headquarters and Services Company.
In October of 2023, Major Santos reported to the 15th MEU Command Element as the ACV Liaison Officer. In March of 2024, Major Santos deployed to the INDOPACOM region with the 15th MEU on the Amphibious Combat Vehicles inaugural deployment.
In January 2025, Major Santos executed PCS orders to become the Inspector-Instructor of Company B, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion.
Major Santos’ personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star, Good Conduct Medal, , the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and various other campaign and service awards.