Stephen Porter, a native of Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, enlisted into the Marine Corps in June 2005. Private Porter completed recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina in September 2005. Upon graduation from boot camp, he was promoted to private first class and reported to SOI-East, Camp Geiger, North Carolina, where he attended the School of Infantry. In November 2005, he graduated from the School of Infantry with the designated MOS of 0341 Mortarman.

In November 2005, Private First Class Porter reported to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he served as an ammo man. During which time, Private First Class Porter was promoted to the rank of lance corporal and deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2006, serving as a rifleman. Lance Corporal Porter returned from deployment and shortly after deployed on the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in July 2007 as an a-gunner in the 60mm mortar section. After returning from his second deployment, Lance Corporal Porter attended his advanced mortar school aboard Camp Geiger, North Carolina, and was later promoted to corporal. Corporal Porter would deploy to Operation Enduring Freedom in November 2008 and serve as a section leader for the 81mm & 120mm mortar section. Corporal Porter was promoted to sergeant and deployed in September 2010 on the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit as the section leader for a 60mm mortar section, which later went to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.

In September 2011, Sergeant Porter reported to Chemical Biological Incident Responds Force (CBIRF), Indian Head, Maryland. During which time, Sergeant Porter attended the Basic CBRIF Operator Course and would hold the billet assistant section leader in decontamination platoon. Later, Sergeant Porter would hold the billet of section leader and platoon sergeant in decontamination platoon until he requested orders to recruiting school in July 2013.

In October 2013, Sergeant Porter reported to 1st Marine Corps District, Recruiting Station Buffalo, Recruiting Sub-Station Batavia, New York. During which time, he was assigned as a canvassing recruiter for 16 months and became the Rookie Recruiter of the Year. Later, Sergeant Porter was meritoriously promoted to staff sergeant and became the station commander for Recruiting Sub-Station Batavia.

In October 2016, Staff Sergeant Porter reported to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Staff Sergeant Porter would attend his advanced school to obtain the MOS of 0369. He would serve in weapons company as the 81mm mortar section leader and platoon sergeant. In August 2018, Staff Sergeant Porter would deploy on the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Upon returning from deployment, Staff Sergeant Porter would later be assigned as a platoon sergeant to Golf Company. While in Golf Company, Staff Sergeant Porter attended the ground combat element operational specialist course. In September 2019, Staff Sergeant Porter was promoted to gunnery sergeant.

In October 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Porter reported to the Staff Noncommission Officer Academy, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During which time, he would serve as a basic faculty advisor at career school. While at the staff academy, Gunnery Sergeant Porter earned the title junior faculty advisor, senior faculty advisor, and master faculty advisor. In April 2021, Gunnery Sergeant Porter served as the chief faculty advisor at advanced school for one cycle before he was chosen to serve as the staff noncommission officer-in-charge of advanced school. During his time at the Staff Noncommission Officer Academy, Gunnery Sergeant Porter instructed (8) advanced schools, (5) career schools, and (5) sergeant’s schools. He later won the Dr. Elihu Rose Award for superior teaching, performance, dedication, and commitment to professional military education and leadership. After being selected to the rank of First Sergeant, First Sergeant Porter reported to Inspector-Instructor Staff, Golf Company, 2d Battalion, 25th Marines in Dover, New Jersey to serve as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader and currently serves in this position.

First Sergeant Porter has a bachelor’s degree in homeland security and a master’s degree in education.

First Sergeant Porter's personal awards include Purple Heart, Navy/ Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 1 Gold Star in lieu of Second Award, Navy/ Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 Silver Star in lieu of Sixth Award, and Combat Action Ribbon w/ 1 Gold Star in lieu of Second Award.