Sergeant Major Santos assumed his current post as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 231 (VMFA-231) on 27 May 2026.
A native of Reading, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in February 2007 and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon graduation from Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, in the top five percent of his class, he attended the Personnel Administration School at Camp Johnson, North Carolina, and was assigned the Military Occupational Specialty 0151.
In August 2007, Private First Class Santos reported to the Recruit Training Regiment, MCRD Parris Island, for duty as an administrative clerk. During this tour, he earned meritorious promotions to Corporal and Sergeant, and was selected as the Recruit Training Regiment Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year for 2009. In February 2010, he transferred to 1st Marine Logistics Group at Camp Pendleton, California, and deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, serving with the Commanding General's Personal Security Detachment and as Enlisted Aide to the Group Sergeant Major.
Following deployment, he reported to the 6th Marine Corps District in April 2011, serving as Personnel Chief, District Color Sergeant, and command inspector. He was named District NCO of the Year for 2012 and meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant in April 2013.
Staff Sergeant Santos reported to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, in July 2013, serving as Squadron Administrative Chief and Squadron Gunnery Sergeant for VMFA(AW)-224, with whom he completed two Unit Deployment Program rotations to the Western Pacific. In January 2017, he reported to Drill Instructor School at MCRD Parris Island, graduating as the course Honor Graduate. He served with the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Chief Drill Instructor, and Company First Sergeant, during which he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. He later served as Special Training Company First Sergeant and Battalion Operations Chief for Support Battalion.
In April 2020, Gunnery Sergeant Santos transferred to 1st Battalion, 8th Marines. He deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS San Antonio as the Battalion Landing Team Administrative Chief and Headquarters and Service Company Senior Enlisted Advisor. During this deployment, he participated in the August 2021 Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, securing the airport and coordinating the evacuation of over 124,000 refugees.
Upon return from deployment, he was promoted to First Sergeant and assigned to Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion. Following the unit's deactivation, he was assigned as the Senior Enlisted Unit Leader for Site Support, MWSS-471 Detachment Alpha in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he advised active and reserve command elements. He was subsequently promoted to his current rank and transferred to his present assignment.
Sergeant Major Santos holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Psychology from National University and is a Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Senior Enlisted Academy.
His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (fourth award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (second award), Combat Action Ribbon (second award), and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (second award).