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Biography
3rd Marine Division Leadership
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major Joshua D. Minter
3d Battalion, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment

Sergeant Major Minter enlisted in the Marine Corps on 18 September 2002. He completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC, in December 2002 and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class before transferring to Marine Combat Training in Jacksonville, NC. Upon Graduation he was then assigned to Pensacola, FL, for Aviation Maintenance School obtaining the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 6153, Airframes Mechanic on CH-53E Helicopters. In September 2003, Private First Class Minter was assigned to Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMH)-464 and promoted to Lance Corporal.

n May of 2004, Lance Corporal Minter was attached to the 24th MEU and deployed with HMM-263 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq where he was promoted to Corporal. Upon returning from Iraq, he was attached to VMM-365 and deployed in 2005 again with the 24th MEU to conduct amphibious operations in the Mediterranean Sea. Upon returning from this deployment, he earned the BMOS 6199 (Aerial Observer) and was promoted to Sergeant.

In July of 2007 Sergeant Minter, once again, deployed in support of the Horn of Africa (HOA) Detachment to Djibouti, Africa conducting deterrence missions for piracy and peacekeeping operations. During this time he earned the BMOS 6018 (Quality Assurance Representative), as well as the BMOS 0916 (Martial Arts Instructor).

In June of 2008 Sergeant Minter deployed with HMH-464 in support of Operation Continuing Promise providing humanitarian support to Haiti followed by another 24th MEU deployment in 2010 with VMM-162 where they conducted operations in Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, and the Mediterranean Sea. While attached to the 24th MEU, Sergeant Minter was promoted to Staff Sergeant and earned the BMOS 6012 (Safe for Flight, Maintenance Control).

In 2011 HMH-464 was tasked with conducting operations in Afghanistan as a joint deployment with HMH-462. After returning home, Staff Sergeant Minter executed orders to Marine Security Guard School, Quantico, VA in May 2012 and upon graduation, he was assigned to The Hague, Netherlands as the Detachment Commander. In April of 2013, Staff Sergeant Minter was sent back to Quantico, VA for Designated Country (DC) training before being assigned to activate a new MSG Detachment in Shenyang, China and complete his MSG tour.

In 2015, Staff Sergeant Minter returned to the fleet and was assigned to HMH-361 MCAS Miramar, CA as the Airframes Division Chief where he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in October 2015. He then deployed in support of the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan from April to November 2016. Upon returning from UDP, he earned the BMOS 8056 (HAZMAT Coordinator), and BMOS (0916) Force Fitness Instructor. Gunnery Sergeant Minter then transferred to the Quality Assurance (QA) Division where he took over as the QA Chief.

In 2017, Gunnery Sergeant Minter was accepted to Camp Pendleton SNCO Academy as a Faculty Advisor. After teaching Sergeant School and Advanced school curriculum, he assumed the billet as the SNCOIC of Advanced School in December of 2018 until he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and given orders to 2D Battalion, 7TH Marines, Fox Company in 29 Palms in July 2019.

After a combat deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2020 with 2/7 Fox Co, First Sergeant Minter was transferred to Headquarters and Service Company where he served until July 2021 when he received orders to 7th Communications Battalion, Headquarters Company, Okinawa, Japan. From July 2021 until April 2023, First Sergeant Minter served as the Headquarters Company and Alpha Company First Sergeant before being promoted and appointed as the 3d Battalion 12th Marine Littoral Regiment Sergeant Major.

Sergeant Major Minter's personal awards include Combat Aircrew Wings with 3 gold stars, Air Medal with Strike Numeral 3, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2 gold stars in lieu of third award, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

3rd Marine Division