Sergeant Major
Octaviano Gallegos
Sergeant Major, U.S. Marine Corps
Sergeant Major Gallegos reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego in June of 1985.Upon graduating from Recruit Training, he reported to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for Infantry Training School as an 0311. After graduating from ITS he reported to Marine Barracks 8th & I as a member of the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team. While in Washington, D.C. he was meritoriously promoted to Corporal in September 1987.
In October 1988, he reported to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion where he was a Team Leader and Platoon Sergeant and was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant in May of 1989. In October 1989 Sgt Gallegos returned from Okinawa and reported to Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment where he served as a Squad Leader and Platoon Guide. In 1991 Sgt Gallegos participated in Operation Desert Storm as a Squad Leader. Upon returning from Desert Storm he was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment where he served as a Squad Leader. In 1992, he was re-assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment and served as a Squad Leader and Platoon Guide until December 1994.
In January 1995, Sgt Gallegos reported to MCRD, San Diego for Drill Instructor School. After graduating from D.I. School, he was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion where he did 4 cycles as a Junior D.I. and 2 cycles as a Senior D.I. In October 1996 he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and did 1 cycle with Alpha Company as the Series Chief D.I.
In April 1997, Staff Sgt Gallegos reported for duty to Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment where he was a Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Commander. In January 1999, Staff Sgt Gallegos was assigned to the Corporals Course as an Instructor. Staff Sgt Gallegos reported back to 3/5 in January 2000 where he was assigned to India Company as the Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Commander and Company Gunnery Sergeant. In November 2000, Staff Sgt Gallegos was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. In April 2001, Gunnery Sgt. Gallegos was transferred to Weapons Company 3/5 where he served as the Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Commander for the Combined Anti Armor Teams Platoon (CAAT). In February 2003 he was reassigned to Kilo Company 3/5 where he served as the Platoon Sergeant, Company Gunnery Sergeant and Company 1st Sergeant during Operation Iraqi Freedom-I.
In January 2004, Gunnery Sergeant Gallegos was promoted to 1st Sergeant where he served as the 1st Sergeant for Bravo Company, 3rd Amphibious Assault Vehicle Battalion. In May of 2004, 1st Sgt Gallegos deployed to Iraq for OIF-II. In May 2005, 1st Sgt Gallegos was transferred to Headquarters and Service Company and then to Echo Company, where he served as the Company 1st Sgt.
In October 2005 he reported to Weapons and Field Training Battalion where he served as the Company 1st Sergeant for Range Company until March 2008.
In April 2008, 1st Sgt Gallegos was promoted to Sergeant Major, and received orders to VMM-263 for duty as the Squadron Sergeant Major. While there, he deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit as the first Aviation Combat Element Composite Squadron with the MV-22B Ospreys.
In March 2010, Sgt Maj Gallegos received orders to 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment for duty as the Battalion Sergeant Major, and deployed with the unit in support of OEF 11-1
.
In September 2011, Sgt Maj Gallegos received orders to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit for duty as the MEU's Sergeant Major.
Sgt Maj Gallegos' personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal 2nd Award, The Navy Commendation Medal 3rd Award, the Navy Achievement Medal 7th Award with 1 Combat "V" device, the Combat Action Ribbon 3rd Award and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon 10th award. He is also the recipient of the 1994 Sgt Maj Wilbur Bestwick Award for his contributions to the ground combat element.