SgtMaj Baez enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 1994 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego in 1995 and again in 1998. Following completion of recruit training he reported to Infantry Training Battalion, SOI-West for training as an Infantry Rifleman.

Upon graduation in October 1998, he checked into Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. He served there from October 1998 to June 2002; he deployed with the 11th and 15th MEU’s and participated in Operation Southern Watch in the Persian Gulf and Operation Enduring Freedom in Pakistan and Southern Afghanistan. He served as Rifleman, Automatic Rifleman, Team Leader and Squad leader and was promoted to the rank of Cpl in April of 2001.

In June 2002, he transferred to Company A, Infantry Training Battalion, SOI-West, for duty as a Combat Instructor. He was promoted to the rank of Sgt in October of 2002 and served as a Combat Instructor and Platoon Commander.

In July 2005, he transferred to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, for duty as a Squad Leader. He was promoted to the rank of SSgt in December 2006. He deployed with the 31st MEU and participated in HADR Operations in the Philippines. He also deployed to Ar Ramadi and Al Karmah Iraq. He served in the billets of Squad Leader, Platoon Guide, Machinegun Section Leader, Rifle Platoon Sergeant and Weapons Platoon Sergeant.

SSgt Baez transferred to the Staff NCO Academy Camp Lejeune in July 2008. He was promoted to the rank of GySgt in June 2009. He served as the Command Physical Training Representative and Combat Conditioning Instructor. He served as a Faculty Advisor for the Sergeant’s, Career and Advanced Courses as the primary warfighting, tactics and fire support Instructor.

In March 2011, he transferred to 2nd Intelligence Battalion for duty as the Ground Sensor Platoon Sergeant. He deployed to Afghanistan and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon return he served as the H&S Company GySgt and 1stSgt. He was selected promoted to 1stSgt in March 2013.

In March 2013, 1stSgt Baez was transferred to 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, for duty as Company B 1stSgt. He deployed with the Unit Deployment Program in 2014 and also served as the Company C and H&S Company 1stSgt.

In March of 2016, he transferred to H&S Company, H&S Battalion, SOI-East, for duty as Company 1stSgt. In November 2016 he was selected to serve as the Marine Combat Instructor School Director until his transfer to his current billet as 8th Engineer Support Battalion Sergeant Major in February 2018.

SgtMaj Baez’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one Silver Star in lieu of sixth award, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.