Biography
Sergeant Major, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161
Sergeant Major Rene Flores

Sergeant Major Flores was born to Maria Marquez and Antonio Flores on 1 December 1986 in East Los Angeles, CA. He joined the Marine Corps in December 2003 into the Delayed Entry program. and graduated from El Rancho High School in June 2004. Sergeant Major Flores reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA on 20 July 2004 and was assigned to Delta Company, First Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment and graduated on 5 November 2004.

 

Upon completion of recruit training, Private First Class Flores reported to Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-West (SOI-W) in November 2004. Private First Class Flores received the MOS 0311 and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class receiving a meritorious promotion to the rank of Lance Corporal.

 

January 2005, Lance Corporal Flores reported to Company G, 2d Battalion 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He later deployed to Okinawa, Japan with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from April 2005 to December 2005. Upon his return, Lance Corporal Flores was promoted to Corporal in July 2006. Corporal Flores deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit from September 2006 to March 2007.

 

July 2007, Corporal Flores was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was temporarily assigned to the Provost Marshall Office (PMO), MP Company, Security Battalion in Camp Pendleton, CA to serve as a Military Police Officer from July 2007 to 30 May 2008. Sergeant Flores received a Meritorious Mast for his efforts in his response to the Wilcox, ammo, and stable wildfires aboard Camp Pendleton in October 2007. 

 

Sergeant Flores transferred to SOI-W and attended the Marine Combat Instructor Course July 2008. Upon graduation, he was assigned to Company B as a Rifleman Instructor, Machine Gun instructor, Platoon Commander and Formal Instructor until August 2011. Sergeant Flores reported to Company E, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, CA. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from February 2012 to September 2012 as a Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant.

 

In November 2013, Sergeant Flores was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Staff Sergeant Flores was assigned to Weapons Company, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines and served as a Section Leader for the 81s Platoon. He later deployed as part 31st MEU, where he led the Tactical Recovery of down Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) unit for Battalion Landing Team 25.

 

Upon returning from the 31st MEU, Staff Sergeant Flores was assigned to G. Company, 2nd Battalion 5th Marines where he serves as a Platoon Sergeant for 3rd Platoon. On 15 May 2015 Staff Sergeant Flores deployed as part 31st MEU During this deployment Staff Sergeant Flores served as a Platoon Sergeant and Company Gunnery Sergeant.

 

Upon his return, Staff Sergeant Flores reported on 20 Jan 2016 to the School of Infantry West in Camp Pendleton, California. Where he served as the B. Company Gunnery Sergeant for Infantry Training Battalion. on 1 October 2017 Staff Sergeant Flores was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and was assign as the Assistant Chief Instructor for Advance Infantry Marine Course, Advance Infantry Training Battalion.

 

After a successful second tour as a Combat instructor, Gunnery Sergeant Flores reported to Camp Mujuk, Republic of Korea on 25 Jan 2019, where he is served as the installations Operations Chief for Camp Mujuk until 29 Jan 2021 and was awarded Meritorious Service Medal. On November 2020 Gunnery Sergeant Flores was selected to the rank of First Sergeant and received orders to 2nd Battalion 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, California.

 

First Sergeant Flores reported to 2nd Battalion 5th Marines on 24 Feb 2021 where he served as the Company First Sergeant for Company E until 2 Mar 2023. During his stay he participated in two service level exercises and deployed as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.  

 

First Sergeant Flores reported to Engineer Support Battalion on 3 Mar 2023. On October 2023 First Sergeant Flores was selected to the rank of Sergeant Major and received orders to VMM-161. Sergeant Major Flores reported to VMM-161 on 3 June 2024 where he currently is serving.

 

Sergeant Major Flores personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (in lieu of 2nd award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device (in lieu of 2nd award), Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (in lieu of 6th award)