Nathaniel E. Burrell was born on 21 July 1986 in Crownpoint, Indiana. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on October 16th 2005. He attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Private Burrell graduated recruit training on January 13th 2006. Upon graduation, he attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) in Camp Pendleton, California. Following completion of MCT he attended MOS School at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, for Logistical Vehicle System (LVS) Operator (3533) and was promoted to Private First Class.
In June 2006, Private First Class Burrell received orders to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (2nd LAR) where he served as a LVS operator. In October 2006, he was deployed to Al Anbar Province, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) where he was combat meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. In April 2008, he was again deployed with 2nd LAR to Al Anbar Province, Iraq in support of OIF where he served as heavy section chief and in May 2008, he was promoted to Corporal. In May 2009, Corporal Burrell was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant and deployed with 2nd LAR to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) where he served as Motor Transportation Chief and Assistant Patrol Leader.
In September 2010, Sergeant Burrell received orders to Marine Corps Security Forces (MCSF) Basic Security Guard School Chesapeake, Virginia. He was assigned to MCSF Training Company, Combat Weapons Section where he served as Combat Weapons Instructor, Chief Instructor, and Curriculum Developer. During his time at MCSF he also met all requirements for Master Instructor and obtained the MOS (8154) Close Quarters Battle Team-Member.
In September 2013, Sergeant Burrell received orders to Combat Logistics Battalion 7 (CLB 7) Twentynine Palms, California where he was assigned to Transportation Services Company to serve as Platoon Sergeant. In December 2013, he was deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of OEF where he served as Company Operations Chief and Immediate Response Team Patrol Leader. In June 2014, Sergeant Burrell was combat meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant. Upon returning from deployment, Staff Sergeant Burrell was assigned as the acting First Sergeant for Headquarters and Services Company. In October 2016, he was deployed to Al Jaber, Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve where he served as the Logistic Combat Element First Sergeant and S-4 Chief.
In October 2017, Staff Sergeant Burrell received orders to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego to attend Drill Instructor School where he graduated as the Honor Graduate and the Leadership Award recipient. Upon graduation he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, Company H and Company E, where he served seven cycles up to Chief Drill Instructor. In October 2018, Staff Sergeant Burrell was promoted to to rank of Gunnery Sergeant. In January 2020, Gunnery Sergeant Burrell was hand selected for Drill Instructor School, MCRD San Diego, where he served as Marine Corps Common Skills Instructor and Recruit Training Order Instructor.
In October 2020, Gunnery Sergeant Burrell received orders to Combat Logistics Battalion 8 (CLB 8), Motor Transport Company. During his time in Gunnery Sergeant Burrell served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant and Company 1stSgt of Motor Transport Company. Gunnery Sergeant Burrell was frocked to his current rank of First Sergeant on January 7th, 2022. First Sergeant Burrell received orders to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines on January 17th, 2022 where he was assigned as the Company First Sergeant for Weapons Company. In February 2023, First Sergeant Burrell was assigned as the Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant and deployed in support of Unit Deployment Plan Okinawa.
In July 2025, Sergeant Major Burrell was promoted to his current rank and was transferred to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton, California for duty where he is currently serving as the Squadron Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
Sergeant Major Burrell's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four gold stars in lieu of fifth award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon with one gold star in lieu of second award.