Steven M. Bajorek, a native of Tehachapi, California, joined the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) for the Marine Corps in 2006. He enlisted in January 2008 and completed recruit training at MCRD San Diego in June 2008. He was promoted to Private First Class and reported to Marine Combat Training at School of Infantry (SOI) - West in Camp Pendleton, California. He then attended Personnel Administration School at Camp Johnson, North Carolina and received the military occupation specialty (MOS) 0151, Personnel Administration Clerk.
With the Primary MOS of 0151, Private First Class Bajorek checked in to his first unit, 1st Tank Battalion in 29 Palms, California. He was quickly reassigned to the sister unit of 1st Tank Battalion, the newly reactivated 3d Combat Engineer Battalion (CEB). While at 3d CEB, he served as an Administrative Clerk and the Unit Mail Clerk. He was promoted to Lance Corporal and then meritoriously to Corporal before deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). He returned from Afghanistan in October 2010.
In December 2010, Corporal Bajorek reported to Recruiter School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, where he served as part of the schoolhouse's small group of permanent support personnel. While stationed at MCRD, he attended Corporal's Course where he graduated as the Class First Sergeant, and Martial Arts Instructor School at the MACE, earning a secondary MOS 0916. He reenlisted during this tour of duty and executed a lateral move to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) MOS. In February 2012, he was promoted to Sergeant.
In March 2012, Sergeant Bajorek reported to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar. In August 2012, he attended Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) in Pensacola, Florida where he achieved the distinction of honor graduate that December, receiving the MOS of 7251, Air Traffic Controller. He returned to the MCAS Miramar ATC facility where he obtained ATC qualifications (MOS 7257) and served as Crew Chief before receiving orders to MCAS New River.
In January 2014, Sergeant Bajorek checked in to Marine Air Control Squadron 2 (MACS), Detachment B, MCAS New River, North Carolina. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and obtained his first major ATC qualification as a Local Controller at the ATC facility (MOS 7252). During this time, he attended Career Course Seminar in Camp Lejeune, and then attend Advanced Radar Air Traffic Control School in Pensacola Florida in 2015. In May 2016, Staff Sergeant Bajorek deployed on the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as a member of the Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team (MMT). While attached on the 24th MEU, he would support multiple humanitarian missions prior to and after the main deployment. In December of 2018, after his time with the 24th MEU, he returned to MACS-2, and served as the Training Chief and the acting Detachment Staff-Non-Commissioned-Officer-in-Charge (SNCOIC) until his next unit assignment.
In September 2018, Staff Sergeant Bajorek reported to H&HS, MCAS Beaufort and was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in December. Gunnery Sergeant Bajorek served as Tower Watch Supervisor, Crew Chief, Tower Chief, and acting SNCOIC. He achieved his second Local Control qualification and his first Approach Control qualification (MOS 7254). In August 2023, at 15 years and 5 months, Gunnery Sergeant Bajorek left active duty and joined the Selected Marine Corps Reserves (SMCR) through the Direct Affiliation Program (DAP).
In September of 2023, Gunnery Sergeant Bajorek reported to his first reserve unit, Headquarters, Marine Air Control Squadron (MACS) 24, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He served as the Operations Chief assisting in unit operations and managing the unit schedule, and he supervised the S-3 training department. In November of 2024, he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and attended First Sergeant School in Quantico, Virginia.
He currently serves as the Company First Sergeant of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, the Empire Battalion, in Dover, New Jersey.
For his civilian career, First Sergeant Bajorek is an Air Traffic Controller. In his free time, he likes riding motorcycles, renovating his home, spending time with family, and watching basketball and football.
First Sergeant Bajorek has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science and Technology with a focus in Air Traffic Control from Thomas Edison State University, and is actively pursuing Master of Science in Aeronautics with a specialization in Aviation Safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
First Sergeant Bajorek' s awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal (ISAF), the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 1 bronze star in lieu of second award, the Navy Unit Commendations w/ 1 bronze star in lieu of second award, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal w/ 4 bronze stars in lieu of fifth award, the Humanitarian Service Medal w/ 2 bronze stars in lieu of third award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 gold star in lieu of second award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.