Samuel J. Linares is a native of Yuma, Arizona. He enlisted on September 11, 2006, and underwent recruit training Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. In March 2007, Private First Class Linares completed Enlisted Supply Basic School at Camp Johnson, NC. He was ordered to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, Twentynine Palms, CA, for duty where he completed two combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Lance Corporal Linares was “Combat Meritoriously” promoted to the rank of Corporal while deployed. He served in a variety of billets from Fiscal Clerk to Unit Movement Coordination Chief.
Corporal Linares was promoted to the rank of Sergeant February 1, 2010. Sergeant Linares was transferred in February 2010 to Logistics Policy Division, Training and Education Command, Quantico, VA. Outside of his primary duties as a Table of Organization and Equipment Change Request Analyst, he was assigned numerous duties to include Commanding General Inspection Program for supply, TECOM Color Sergeant, and Training NCO.
In September 2012, Sergeant Linares received orders to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. He was assigned to Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor. During Sergeant Linares tour on Parris Island he served as an Academics Instructor, Physical Training Instructor, and Academics Testing SNCOIC for Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion. Sergeant Linares was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant on December 1, 2014.
Staff Sergeant Linares was transferred in December 2015 to 1st Tank Battalion to serve as the Supply Section Chief. During Staff Sergeant Linares' tour with 1st Tank Battalion he served as the battalion supply chief and was subject to multiple inspections by Field Supply and Maintenance Analysis Office (FSMAO) and Logistics Readiness Evaluation (LRE). Staff Sergeant Linares was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on February 1, 2018.
Gunnery Sergeant Linares was transferred in March 2018 to the University of Texas at Austin to serve as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor. During GySgt Linares' tour with the University of Texas at Austin he served as a Sergeant Instructor in support of Officer Candidates School in Quantico, VA during summer training cycles. Gunnery Sergeant Linares completed his Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Arizona in December, 2020.
Gunnery Sergeant Linares was transferred in May 2021 to the Recruiting Station Los Angeles to serve as the Logistics Chief. During GySgt Linares' tour he served in multiple additional billets to ensure mission success for the Recruiting Station. Gunnery Sergeant Linares was promoted (frocked) to the rank of First Sergeant on June 30, 2022.
First Sergeant Linares was transferred in July 2022 to 2D Battalion, 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division to serve as a Unit Senior Enlisted Leader where he completed a Unit Deployment Program East in Okinawa, Japan. During First Sergeant Linares' he served in multiple additional billets to ensure mission success for the Battalion, including Headquarters and Service Company and Weapons Company senior enlisted leader. First Sergeant Linares was promoted (frocked) to the rank of Sergeant Major on January 8, 2026.
Sergeant Major Linares was transferred in March 2026 to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 to serve as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
His personal awards include the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.