Sergeant Major Jose Manuel Ramirez enlisted in the Marine Corps on January of 2003, and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, South Carolina. He graduated in April of 2003, and then attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Geiger, North Carolina that same year. Upon completion of MCT, he reported to Marine Corp Engineer School in Court House Bay, North Carolina, and received the Military Occupational Specialty of 1141, Basic Electrician.
Private First Class Ramirez proceeded to 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (AT) in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for duty as a Basic Electrician. Private First Class Ramirez was promoted to Lance Corporal on March 2004. In February of 2005, he deployed with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 (VMU-2) to Al-Asad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In April of 2005, he was combat meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal.
Upon his return in January of 2006, Corporal Ramirez received orders to Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC, to serve as the Elect Section Head. During this time, he redeployed with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF-5) to Al-Asad, Iraq for a period of six month and served as the Utilities Platoon Noncommissioned Officer in Charge. In February of 2007, Corporal Ramirez volunteered to deploy with Military Transition Team 6, 3d Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and served as a machine gunner and Utilities Chief. In June of 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Upon returning to Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, he served as the platoon Sergeant and Company Gunny. Sergeant Ramirez then on January of 2011, participated in a deployment to Belize, Guatemala, Columbia, for Southern Partner Ship 11, where he served as the Utilities Chief.
In October of 2011, Sergeant Ramirez reported to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion of Drill Instructor School, he was assigned to Bravo Company, First Recruit Training Battalion. In February of 2012, Sergeant Ramirez was promoted to Staff Sergeant. While assigned to First Recruit Training Battalion, he held the positions of Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor. He was then assigned to the First Recruit Training Battalion Headquarters Company, where he held the billet of Operations Chief and Company First Sergeant.
In December of 2014, Staff Sergeant Ramirez received orders to Inspector Instructor duty, Marine Wing Support Squadron 473, MAG 41, in Naval Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, where he served as the Utilities Chief and Detachment Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge. During this time, he participated in Operation Old Harbor Alaska, Maple Flag 50, and SPMAGTF Crisis Response 20. In October of 2016, Staff Sergeant Ramirez was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.
In December of 2017, Gunnery Sergeant Ramirez received orders to Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Battalion in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he served as the Operation Chief and Company First Sergeant. In March of 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Ramirez received orders to Marine Air Control Group 28 (MACG-28) PSD, where he served as the PSD Company First Sergeant and Utilities Chief. Gunnery Sergeant Ramirez was frocked to First Sergeant on April of 2020.
In June of 2020, First Sergeant Ramirez was transferred to Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, Bangor, where he served as the Alpha Company, Unit Senior Enlisted Leader. In December of 2022, First Sergeant Ramirez received orders to Marine Air Control Squadron 2, MACG-28, Cherry Point, North Carolina where he assumed the duties of Unit Senior Enlisted Leader, for Marine Air Traffic Control Company Mike.
In August of 2024, First Sergeant Ramirez was promoted to his current rank and transfered to his current assignment as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, MAG 29, 2d MAW on MCAS New River, North Carolina.
Sergeant Major Ramirez's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four gold star in lieu of Fifth award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two gold star in lieu of third award) and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.