Sergeant Major Joseph Caputo is a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and graduated as a newly minted Private from MCRD San Diego, 3rd RTBN, India Company, in June of 1995. After completing recruit training, he attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, California. Upon completion of MCT he received orders to the Military Police School, Ft. McClellan, AL. While in MP School, he distinguished himself and was selected for duty at The Presidential Helicopter Squadron (HMX-1).
In December of 1995, he reported to HMX-1 in Quantico, Virginia. From PFC to Sergeant, he was meritoriously promoted twice and served as a sentry, Corporal of the Guard, Sergeant of the Guard, and Platoon Sergeant. He served at the Executive Alert Facility and also served as Mission NCOIC and Mission Security Officer on a vast number of missions in direct support of the President of the United States, and The White House Military Office.
In June of 1999, Sergeant Caputo volunteered for Drill Instructor duty and received orders to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Upon graduating Drill Instructor School, Sergeant Caputo reported to 3rd RTBN, India Company, for duty. Sergeant Caputo completed four training cycles as a Drill Instructor, three cycles as a Senior Drill Instructor and served as a Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival at the MCRD swim tank.
In November of 2002, Staff Sergeant Caputo received orders to The Provost Marshall’s Office, Marine Corps Base, Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan. While in Okinawa, Staff Sergeant Caputo served as a Platoon Commander and Field Training Officer for Military Police District North.
In December 2004, Staff Sergeant Caputo received orders to Military Police Company, 1st Force Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton, California. While assigned, he served as a Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Commander, Company GySgt and Company 1stSgt. While assigned to this unit, he completed two combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In June 2007, Gunnery Sergeant Caputo received orders to Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC), Capabilities Development Directorate, Quantico, Virginia for duty as a Requirements Officer, and Combat Developer for Infantry Weapons Systems.
In May of 2008, Gunnery Sergeant Caputo reported to Officer Candidates School (OCS) as a Drill Instructor to train, screen and evaluate Marine Corps Officer Candidates attending OCC-198. Upon the successful completion of OCC-198, he was transferred back to his previous position at MCCDC. In April of 2010, he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and reported back to OCS to serve as the Company 1stSgt for Hotel and India Companies respectively.
In October 2010, First Sergeant Caputo received orders to 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California. He served as the Company 1stSgt for Alpha Company and deployed on the first UDP to return to Combat Assault Battalion, Okinawa Japan in nearly 10 years.
In July of 2012, First Sergeant Caputo reported to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He served as the Company 1stSgt for Charlie Company and deployed with Battalion Landing Team 1/4 on the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
In February of 2015, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major and reported to 1st Radio Battalion, I MHG, I MEF for duty as the Battalion Sergeant Major. In June of 2017, he reported to Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, Bangor, Washington for duty as the Battalion Sergeant Major.
In August of 2020, he reported to 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1 MLG, I MEF for duty as the Battalion Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Caputo’s personal awards include: The Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal second award, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal fourth award, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal third award, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and is authorized to wear the Presidential Service Badge.