First Sergeant Backus is a native of Mexico, New York, and enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 2004. Upon completion of recruit training, PFC Backus reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, North Carolina where he would attain the MOS of 0351, Infantry Assaultman. PFC Backus would then report to E Company, 2D Battalion 2D Marine Regiment. He served with the battalion
from February 2005 through December 2008. LCpl Backus deployed during this time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III/IV and aboard the USS Bataan as part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC). While Deployed with the 26th MEU LCpl Backus was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal.
Cpl Backus reported to Instructor Bn, TBS, for duty as a Combat Instructor from December 2008 through December 2009. In February of 2009 Cpl Backus graduated from Marine Security Guard School and was subsequently promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Sgt Backus served as a watch stander at U.S. Embassies Accra, Ghana, Beijing, China, and U.S. Consulate Dubai, UAE. While serving at U.S.
Embassy Beijing, Sgt Backus was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and hand selected to be the assistant detachment commander for the newly activated Marine Detachment at U.S. Consulate Dubai.
SSgt Backus reported to Lima Company, 3D Battalion 6th Marine Regiment, for duty as an Infantry Unit Leader from April 2012 through August 2014. During this time SSgt Backus served as Mortar Section Leader, and Machine Gun Section Leader and deployed as part of the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan. In August 2014 SSgt Backus transitioned to the SMCR and reported to Bravo Company, 4th LAR from August 2014 until February 2017. SSgt Backus reported to H&S Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps for duty as the Reserve Liaison Office, Operations Chief from February 2017 to April 2019. SSgt Backus was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in May of 2018.
GySgt Backus reported to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion 25th Marine Regiment for duty as Combined Anti-Armor Team Platoon Sergeant, from April 2019 through August 2020. During this time, GySgt Backus again deployed as part of the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan and served as the SNCOIC for the Marksmanship Training Unit at Camp Hansen, training Combat Marksmanship Coaches and Combat Marksmanship Trainers. GySgt Backus reported to Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group from August 2020 through October 2021, for duty as a Foreign Weapons Instructor at the Marine Advisor Course. GySgt Backus reported to II Marine Expeditionary Force G3 for duty as an Assistant Operations Chief. GySgt Backus was promoted to his current rank in May of 2022 and reported to G Battery 3D Battalion 14th Marine Regiment for duty as the Battery First Sergeant.
First Sergeant Backus's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat "V", and the Combat Action Ribbon.