First Sergeant Joseph A. Nunez is a native of Palos Heights, Illinois. He enlisted in January 2007 and underwent recruit training with Company C, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California.
In June 2007, he completed Marine Combat Training aboard Camp Pendleton, California. In August of 2007 he graduated Personnel Administration School earning the 0151 military occupational specialty and was ordered to II Marine Expeditionary Force, G-1 in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for duty. He served as the Adjutant Clerk within the G-1. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal in 2008. He deployed in January of 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to Al Asad, Iraq. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2009.
In January 2011, he was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona for duty with the Station Headquarters S-1 to serve as the non-commissioned officer in charge. In 2012 he deployed to Manilla, Philippines in support of Balikatan 2012. In 2013 he changed duties to serve as the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Installation Personnel Administration Center, Inbound Section.
In January 2014, he was transferred to Personnel Administrative School, Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools, Camp Lejeune North Carolina to serve as an instructor. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in 2014.
In June 2017, he was transferred to Manpower Management Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Quantico Virginia and served as the Division Administrative Chief. He was then promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in January of 2018.
In October 2020 he requested Detachment Commander duty for the Marine Security Guard program and reported to Marine Corps Security Embassy Group, Quantico Virginia to attend Marine Security Guard, Detachment Commander’s Course 1-21. Upon graduation he was assigned as the Detachment Commander of Marine Security Guard Detachment Kampala, Uganda.
In March 2022 was promoted to First Sergeant and given orders to 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Battery Q, and served as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader. He supported the battery through Unit Deployment Program 23.2 to Okinawa, Japan. In December 2023, he received permanent change of assignment orders to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, Battery A to serve as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader. In February 2025 he was reassigned to Headquarters Battery and continued to serve as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader.
In April 2025 he was transferred to 2d Distribution Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2d Marine Logistics Group in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to serve as the Headquarters Company Unit Senior Enlisted Leader.
In August 2025 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major and transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina to serve as the Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
Sergeant Major Nunez’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal 4th award, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 2nd award, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Marine Security Guard Ribbon and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal 6th award.