Sergeant Major Octaya S. Jones enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in May 2001. She reported to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, South Carolina. After completing recruit training, she attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, and subsequently attended MOS school for 2311, Ammunition Technician, at Marine Detachment Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. In November 2001, she reported to Ammunition Company, 3rd Material Readiness Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, located at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan.
In April 2002, she transferred to Weapons and Field Training Battalion, MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina. While there, she served as a Training Clerk and an Ammunition Technician. In January 2005, she reported to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Forces Pacific at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii, where she held the position of Ammunition Chief and achieved the rank of Sergeant. In January 2008, she moved to Ammunition Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California, where she served as the Records Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge. She deployed as the Ammunition Chief with 1st Maintenance Battalion (-) (REIN) to Al Taqaddum, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. She earned the rank of Staff Sergeant in January 2009. After returning from deployment in March 2009, she served in Ammunition Company, 1st Supply Battalion, as the Records Chief for the Las Pulgas Ammunition Supply Point.
In July 2010, she reported to Drill Instructor School at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina, where she earned the title of Drill Instructor and graduated as class 4-10 "Iron Woman." She subsequently reported to Papa Company, Fourth Recruit Training Battalion, where she served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor. During this time, she also became a Martial Arts Instructor. In August 2013, she returned to the Fleet Marine Force, reporting to Ammunition Company, 3rd Supply Battalion, stationed at Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Japan. There, she held the Records Chief, Storage Area Supervisor, and Issues Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC) positions. She was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in July 2015 and subsequently served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant. In September 2016, she reported to the Command Element of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where she served as the MEU Ammunition Chief and the SNCOIC of the Female Engagement Team.
In June 2019, First Sergeant Jones returned to the drill field to serve as the Company First Sergeant for Oscar Company, Fourth Recruit Training Battalion, on MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina. In August 2021, she reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. During her time there, she served as the Company First Sergeant for Airfield Operations Company and later as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Personnel Support Detachment at Headquarters, Marine Aircraft Group 11.
Sergeant Major Jones was appointed in December 2022, as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of Site Support, 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group in San Diego, California. In June 2025, Sergeant Major Jones joined Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39 on MCAS Camp Pendleton, California.
Sergeant Major Jones earned an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Chaminade University of Honolulu. Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (with gold star in lieu of second award), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with two gold stars in lieu of a third award), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various other service and campaign medals.