Colonel Sanchez enlisted into the Marine Corps in 1989.  In 1995, he was commissioned after obtaining his degree from Saint Edward’s University in Austin, TX.

Col Sanchez’ operational assignments include:  Squad leader, Golf Company 2nd Battalion 7th Marines with deployments to Okinawa and Camp Fuji, Japan.  Weapons Platoon Commander, India Company, 3rd Battalion 1st Marines and then 81mm Platoon Commander, 3rd Battalion 1st Marines, 15th MEU (SOC) with a deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Thunder.  Weapons Company Commander (Mobile Assault Company), 2nd Battalion 7th Marines with deployments to Al Asad, Iraq (OIF II) and Fallujah, Iraq (OIF IV), Chief of Staff, Marine Forces South. 

Col Sanchez’ service outside of the operational forces include:  Corporal of the Guard and Sergeant of the Guard at Marine Corps Security Force Company Alameda, CA.  Series Commander, Delta Company and Company Commander, Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, MCRCPI.  Operations Officer, 1st Recruit training Battalion, MCRDPI.  Commanding Officer, Recruiting Station Jacksonville, FL.  Contact Team Officer and the Deputy of Recruiting Operations, 6th Marine Corps District, Parris Island, SC.  Operations Officer, Enlisted Recruiting, Eastern Recruiting Region, Parris Island, SC.  Commanding Officer, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA.  J33 Current Operations Branch Chief, USSOUTHCOM and the Chief of Operations for USSOUTHCOM’s Crisis Action Team.  Commanding Officer, 8th Marine Corps District, Fort Worth, TX.     

Col Sanchez was Meritoriously Augmented out of the The Basic School.  He is a graduate of the School of Infantry, Security Force School, NCO School, Combat Safety Swimmer Course, Infantry Officer Course, Officer Sniper Employment Course, Summer Mountain Leaders Course, Fire Support Coordination Course, Infantry Captain’s Career Course, Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, Command & Staff (NonRes), and the Naval War College (TLS).

Col Sanchez has a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development and a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

Col Sanchez assumed his present duties as Chief of Staff, Marine Force Reserve on 6 July 2023.