First Sergeant Daniel Levi Estes was raised in the small farming town of Miller, MO, and decided to enlist after the tragic events of 9/11 as he was inspired by a deep sense of duty to serve his country.
On April 6, 2003, Daniel went to Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, for Basic Training. After completing Basic Training, he attended the School of Infantry, where he earned his company's title of Honor Guide. Shortly after, he went to Security Forces Battalion on a 2-year contract, where he volunteered to leave early and deploy to Iraq.
In August 2004, as a Corporal, Daniel deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Regiment. During his nine-month deployment, he faced the realities of combat and earned several awards, including the Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon, for his courage and sacrifices. Returning home, he continued mentoring and training Marines, sharing his experiences and preparing them for their deployment. On April 1, 2006, he was promoted to Sergeant.
After completing his active-duty service on April 7, 2007, Daniel transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve. In January 2011, he joined 3/23 Weapons Company in Springfield, Missouri. Over the years, he took on various leadership roles, including Company Gunny with 3/23 India Company in Little Rock, Arkansas, and participated in unique training experiences in Ukraine, Africa, and Belize. His deployments took him to Costa Rica and Jamaica, where he ran MiTT Teams.
In June 2019, Daniel was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant, and he held positions such as Company Gunny, Operations Chief, and eventually Company First Sergeant. In 2023, he was selected to be a First Sergeant, where he became the Senior Enlisted Advisor for H&S Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division in Fort Sheridan, IL. Now, he serves in Springfield, MO, as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division.
Daniel's military career is decorated with honors such as the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.