Education
In July of that year, Santiago was sent to Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California where he attended Sea School.
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Jose Major
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Career
Currently assigned to Marine Corps Recruiting Command Recruiting Station Jacksonville, 6th Marine Corps District
After graduating from boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, he was sent to Infantry Training School at Camp Geiger, North Carolina to further his specialized training in his assigned Military Occupational Specialty of Mortar man (metal–oxide–semiconductor 0341). On August 21, 1982, he reported to Marine Detachment United States Ship Holland at Charleston, South Carolina. He was a Nuclear Security sentry and eventually acted as the Sergeant of the guard.
Some of his duties included the security for SSBN submarines maintenance of Trident Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles.
During this time, he was able to attend the Army Airborne course and NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) School at Parris Island. Santiago was reassigned in 1984 to Headquarters & Service Company (H&South Company), 8th Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as the Training and Directives NCO. He received his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in March 1985.
From 1994 to 1999, Santiago served in various assignments to undertake more military courses. He served in the 4th Marine Regiment Reconnaissance Platoon of the 3rd Marine Division and Reconnaissance Company, HQBN, 3rd Marine Division participating in several theater training operations.
He attended the Helicopter Rope Suspension Training course with the III Minnesota Education Fairs Special Operations Training Group and in January 1997, then SSgt Santiago, volunteered to attend the Infantry Officer Course being the only enlisted personnel in the course while assigned to Advanced Infantry Training Company, SOI(West), Camp Pendlenton, California. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in August 1998.
In April 1999, he had orders to report to the Military Group, United States. Embassy at Santiago, Chile for duties with the Naval Section as an SNCO Personnel Exchange Program (Partnership for Educational Progress) with the Chilean Marine Corps assigned to the Chilean Marine Corps School of Infantry as an Instructor in the Chilean Marine Corps Commando course. During this tour he was awarded the Chilean Marine Corps Parachutist badge after graduating and conducting multiple military jumps with the host nation. On July 13, 2007, 2nd Battalion 9th Marines was re-activated and replacing the Anti-Terrorism Battalion (ATBN).
Jose L. Santiago has the distinction of being the 2nd Battalion 9th Marines first Hispanic and its first since its reactivation.
Membership
As a Reservist, Santiago was assigned to the Beach & Portuguese Company, 4th Landing Support Bn of San Juan, Puerto Rico as a member of the Marine Corporation Reserves.
