First Sergeant Omar J. Garcia

First Sergeant Garcia was born on 18 July 1987 in Cuautla, Morelos, Mexico. He graduated from Buena Vista High School in Corona, California in 2005. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 4 April 2005 and attended Recruit Training at MCRD San Diego, CA. After completing Recruit Training, he attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Pendleton, CA. Following the completion of MCT, he attended the Basic Warehousing School at Camp Johnson, NC, where he received the MOS of 3051. In September 2005, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.

In October 2005, he received orders to 1st Bn 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division aboard Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. In January 2006, he was deployed to eastern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In December of 2006, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal. In March of 2007, First Sergeant Garcia was deployed to Haditha, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In August 2008, First Sergeant Garcia was deployed to Karmah, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In February 2009, First Sergeant Garcia was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

In June 2009, First Sergeant Garcia received orders to 1st Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, where he held the billet of Warehouse NCOIC. In September 2010, he was deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan with Combat Logistics Regiment 15 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In October 2011, First Sergeant Garcia received orders to Drill Instructor School, MCRD San Diego, California, Class 1-12. Upon graduating from Drill Instructor School, First Sergeant Garcia was assigned to 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Company H, where he served as a Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor, and Senior Drill Instructor.

In November 2014, First Sergeant Garcia received orders to 2nd Battalion 10th Marines, where he served as Supply Chief and Warehouse Chief. In October 2015, First Sergeant Garcia was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was transferred to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion where he served as the Battalion Warehouse Chief.

In March 2018, he received orders to the University of Pennsylvania to serve as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor of Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC). In the summers of 2018-2020, First Sergeant Garcia was assigned to Officer Candidates School, where he served as a Sergeant Instructor with Company C and Company L. In October of 2020, First Sergeant Garcia was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.

In June 2021, First Sergeant Garcia received orders to 1st Supply Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Groups where he served as the Headquarters and Service Company, First Sergeant. In November of 2022, he was transferred to Supply Company where he served as the SNCOIC for the Rations Section. In September of 2023, First Sergeant Garcia assumed the responsibilities as the Company First Sergeant for Supply Company.

In March 2024, First Sergeant Garcia was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant and reported to 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, MCRD, San Diego, California where he served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for Company B. In September 2024, he was selected as and is currently serving as the Drill Instructor School First Sergeant.

First Sergeant Garcia's personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of third award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of third award, the Combat Action Ribbon and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.