Sergeant Major Carrion enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 1995. He graduated from 3rd Battalion, Lima Company Recruit Training at MCRD Parris Island in September 1995 and was promoted meritoriously to the rank of Private First Class (PFC). Following recruit training; PFC Carrion attended the School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, North Carolina and upon completion, was assigned the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 0311 Basic Riflemen.
PFC Carrion then reported to 3rd Battalion (Bn), 2nd Marines, India Company, Camp Lejeune North Carolina in December 1995 where he held the billet of Automatic Riflemen. While serving in 3rd Bn, 2nd Marines, PFC Carrion was promoted to Lance Corporal (LCpl) in May 1996 and was meritoriously promoted to Corporal (Cpl) in March 1997 where he assumed the duties and responsibilities of Squad Leader. In April 1997, Cpl Carrion attended the Corporals Leadership Course and in July 1997 was assigned to Weapons Company, Heavy Machine Gun Section, Combined Anti-Armor Team Alpha (CAAT). While serving in 3rd Bn, 2nd Marines Cpl Carrion deployed on the 26th MEU in support of Operation Dynamic Response in Bosnia-Herzegovina and completed a Unit Deployment Program (UDP) to Okinawa, Japan. Cpl Carrion was promoted to Sergeant (Sgt) in October 1998 and selected to attend the Infantry Squad Leaders Course.
In April 1999 Sgt Carrion was transferred to the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger North Carolina for assignment as a Marine Combat Instructor, Hotel Company, Marine Combat Training Battalion (MCT) where he also attended the Close Combat Instructor Course (CCI). In December 2000 Sgt Carrion was assigned the primary duties of Trainer of Instructors for all incoming battalion instructors, one of only two Marines hand selected by the Battalion Commander. In 2001 Sgt Carrion attended the Martial Arts Instructor Trainers Course (MAIT), Formal School Instructors Course and was selected by the Commanding Officer to attend the Army’s Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia. Sgt Carrion also held the additional billet as the Battalion’s MAIT. While at this station, Sgt Carrion was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt) in November 2002.
In March 2003, SSgt Carrion received orders to 3rd Bn, 4th Marines, India Company, Twenty-nine Palms California. SSgt Carrion immediately deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and deployed a second time in February 2004 to OIF II in support of Combat Operations in the city of Fallujah. In January 2005, SSgt Carrion deployed to Iraq a third time in support of OIF III. During his time, SSgt Carrion was privileged to hold the billets of Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Commander and attended the Infantry Unit Leaders Course, Range Intermediate Course, and the Enhanced Marksmanship Trainers Course.
In January 2006, SSgt Carrion reported to the Martial Arts Center of Excellence, Quantico Virginia for duty as a MAIT for the Instructor Trainers Course. During his time, SSgt Carrion held the billets of Squad Instructor Trainer, Combat Conditioning Specialist, Curriculum Developer, and Chief Instructor for the Martial Arts Instructor Trainers Course. He also attended the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy’s Career Course where he was the recipient of the “Gung Ho” award, as well as the Advanced Course “Gung Ho” award recipient; the Combat Water Safety Swimmers Course and the Marine Corps Combat Instructor of Water Survival Course “Gung Ho” award recipient. SSgt Carrion was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) along with 2nd and 3rd Degree Martial Arts Instructor Trainer. During this tour of duty GySgt Carrion was a four time recipient of the Strongest Instructor Trainer Award.
In July 2008, GySgt Carrion reported to 3rd Bn, 5th Marines, India Company, Camp Pendleton California and assumed the duties of Company Gunnery Sergeant and Boat Company Safety Swimmer. While at this station GySgt Carrion attended the Infantry Company Operations Chief Course. GySgt Carrion’s deployments with 3rd Bn, 5th Marines included the 31st MEU in 2009 and Sangin, Afghanistan in 2010. While at this station GySgt Carrion was promoted to 4th Degree Marine Corps MAIT and was selected to the rank of First Sergeant (1stSgt) in 2011.
In June 2011, 1stSgt Carrion reported to Combat Logistics Regiment 27 where he served as Company 1stSgt for Military Police Company. During this time he attended First Sergeants Course and in January 2012 reported to Combat Logistics Battalion-2 to serve as Company 1stSgt for Headquarters and Support Company. During this time 1stSgt Carrion attended the E8 Regional Seminar and completed the Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course. In August 2012, 1stSgt Carrion deployed once again to the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in support of combat operations.
Sergeant Major Carrion’s personal awards include; the Bronze Star Medal with a Combat Distinguishing Device, the Meritorious Service Medal; the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in lieu of third award; and the Combat Action Ribbon second award.
In July 2013, 1stSgt Carrion reported for duty to Headquarters and Service Battalion, HQMC, Henderson Hall to serve the Marine’s, Sailor’s and Civilian’s throughout the National Capital Region. During this tour, 1stSgt Carrion was privileged to attend the Senior Enlisted Professional Military Education Course; the Naval Justice School’s Senior Enlisted Course and in 2014 was promoted to 5th Degree MAIT. In 2015 1stSgt Carrion was selected to the rank of Sergeant Major and was also promoted to 6th Degree Martial Arts Instructor Trainer.