First Sergeant Jorge L. Ortiz was born on August 24, 1982 in Sacramento, California. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in September of 2000 and graduated from MCRD San Diego. In January 2001, First Sergeant Ortiz reported to Marine Combat Training on Camp Pendleton, California. Upon completion he was sent to his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) School in 29 Palms, California where he earned the basic MOS of 2531, Field Radio Operator.
Upon graduation from school, First Sergeant Ortiz reported to Headquarters Platoon, Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii as a Field Radio Operator. During his tour at Bravo Battery, First Sergeant Ortiz was a part of two Unit Deployments to Okinawa, Japan.
In July 2004 First Sergeant Ortiz volunteered for duty to Marine Security Guard School, Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, Quantico, Virginia.
After graduating Marine Security Guard School, First Sergeant Ortiz received orders to United States Embassy Bamako, Mali, Region 7, as a watch stander. Thereafter, in July 2005 First Sergeant received orders to activate United States Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan as the Assistant Detachment Commander. After his tour in Kabul, First Sergeant Ortiz received orders to activate United States Consulate Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Region 2 as the Assistant Detachment Commander. During his time in Saudi Arabia he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
In November 2007, First Sergeant Ortiz received orders to 9th Communication Battalion, I MEF, Camp Pendleton, California as the Charlie Company Radio Chief. From September 2008 to February 2009 First Sergeant Ortiz was sent to Alpha Company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Provisional Government Center Staff Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge (SNCOIC), Ramadi, Iraq. Upon First Sergeant Ortiz’s return he was reassigned as the Company Gunnery Sergeant for Charlie Company, 9th Communication Battalion until November 2009.
In November 2009, First Sergeant Ortiz received orders to 3d Battalion, 1st Marines as the Assistant Radio Chief and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, with 3d Battalion 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, Garmsir, Afghanistan. In November 2010 he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.
In April 2011 First Sergeant Ortiz received orders to Recruiting Duty and was selected from school to be the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge of Recruiting Sub-Station Mansfield, TX, Recruiting Station Fort Worth, 8th Marine Corps District. During his time on Recruiting duty he was awarded SNCOIC of the year and Station (Small) of the Year FY13.
In July 2014 First Sergeant Ortiz received orders to Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, as the Multi-Channel Radio platoon SNCOIC. In December of 2014 First Sergeant Ortiz was selected to his present rank of First Sergeant and received orders to Charlie Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. During his tour he deployed with the Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit on WESTPAC 16-1.
In February 2017, First Sergeant Ortiz was transferred to Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia as the Battalion First Sergeant, where he is currently serving.
First Sergeant Ortiz’s personal decorations include the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal 3rd award, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal 3rd award and Good Conduct Medal 4th Award.