Master Gunnery Sergeant Baker was born in Lincoln, Nebraska in April 1975. In 1994, he enlisted in the Marine Corps through the Delayed Entry Program and subsequently attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego with Kilo Company, Third Recruit Training Battalion in July 1994. Upon graduation, Private Baker reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, California for training as a rifleman.
In November of 1994, Private Baker reported to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in Camp Pendleton, California for duty with Alpha Company. He deployed to Okinawa with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in the Spring of 1995. Upon returning from deployment his unit was deployed to the southern border to participate in JTF-6. Again, in the spring of 1997, Cpl Baker deployed to Okinawa with the 31st MEU. Upon returning from his second deployment, Corporal Baker was deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Fox in February of 1998. Upon returning from deployment in July of 1998, Sergeant Baker reported for duty with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Camp Pendleton California.
While at 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Sergeant Baker deployed to Idaho in the fall of 2001 in support of TF Wildfire, as a stick leader. In 2002, Sgt Baker was meritoriously promoted to SSgt. In December of 2002, SSgt Baker again deployed to Okinawa with the 31st MEU as a Platoon Sergeant. In September of 2002, Staff Sergeant Baker received orders to Marine Corps Detachment Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland (MCD, APG).
While at MCD APG, Staff Sergeant Baker served as Platoon Sergeant from 2002 until he deployed in 2004 as a Combat Advisor to Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon his return from deployment, he assumed the role of Detachment Gunnery Sergeant. In August of 2005, SSgt Baker received orders to 1st Battalion, 9th Marines Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
While at 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, SSgt Baker held the billets of Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Commander. SSgt Baker was selected and promoted to Gunnery Sergeant, and in September of 2006 was reassigned to 6th Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
In December of 2006, Gunnery Sergeant Baker deployed with 6th Marine Regiment to Fallujah, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While on deployment he held the billets of Ground Watch Officer and Company Gunnery Sergeant. Upon returning from deployment in January of 2008, Gunnery Sergeant Baker received orders to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
While at 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, Gunnery Sergeant Baker deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as Company Gunnery Sergeant. Upon returning from deployment, Gunnery Sergeant Baker again deployed to Khost Province, Afghanistan, as Counter IED team leader assigned to TF Paladin. Upon returning from deployment, Gunnery Sergeant Baker was selected to Master Sergeant, was Frocked and issued orders to Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group (MCTOG), Twentynine Palms California.
Following his time as a Faculty Advisor at MCTOG, MSgt Baker received orders to the 24th MEU, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In June of 2013 while at the 24th MEU, MSgt Baker deployed as the Operations Chief with Special Purpose MAGTF Crisis Response Africa. Upon returning from deployment, MSgt Baker again deployed as Headquarters Commandant/Assistant Operations Chief on the 24th MEU in December of 2014. Following the 24th MEU, MSgt Baker was selected to Master Gunnery Sergeant.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Baker was issued orders to 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and deployed with the 22nd MEU as Operations Chief, Battalion Landing Team 1/6. Upon returning from deployment, Master Gunnery Sergeant Baker received orders to 7th Marine Regiment, Twentynine Palms, California.
While at 7th Marine Regiment, Master Gunnery Sergeant Baker served as Operations Chief. In October of 2018 Master Gunnery Sergeant Baker deployed to the Southern Border in support of Operations Southern Border as the Special Purpose MAGTF Operations Chief. In November of 2018, Master Gunnery Sergeant Baker received orders to the 1st Marine Division Operations Center, Camp Pendleton, California as the senior enlisted tactical advisor to the Commanding General.
In June 2021, Master Gunnery Sergeant Baker assumed his current position as the Commandant, HQ USSTRATCOM, Offutt AFB, Nebraska. USSTRATCOM is one of 11 Unified Commands under the Department of Defense. USSTRATCOM is responsible for the global command and control of U.S. strategic forces to meet decisive national security objectives, providing a broad range of strategic capabilities and options for the President and Secretary of Defense.
His personal awards include: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (third award), Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation medal (second award), Joint Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (fifth award), Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (eighth award). He is married and has no children.
Link: Biography in .pdf
(Current as of May 2022)