Jonathan Anthony Carranza was born 29 June 1983 in Potsdam, New York and graduated Potsdam Central High School. Enlisting in the Marine Corps in July 2002 for 3043 Supply Administration and upon completing boot camp at Parris Island, SC, he was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class.
Upon graduating Supply School, PFC Carranza received orders to Camp Pendleton, California and was assigned to 1st FSSG Rear Area Security Company, Heavy Machine Gun Platoon. In February 2003, PFC Carranza deployed to Iraq, for Operation Iraqi Freedom I. Supporting the Infantry Division with perimeter security and the construction of the rapid refuel points (RRP). On 2 May 2003, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. Returning from Iraq, LCpl Carranza was assigned to General Support Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion where he was the Supply NCOIC and the Embarkation NCO.
In February 2004, LCpl Carranza deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom II-I with Combat Service Support Company 121 (CSSC-121) where he served as a Supply NCOIC and .50 Cal Machine Gunner on recovery missions. On 2 June 2004, LCpl Carranza was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal. Returning, he was assigned to Ordnance Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion serving as the Supply NCOIC.
In March 2005, Cpl Carranza was accepted to attend Marine Security Guard School and upon graduation received orders to American Embassy Vienna, Austria. Cpl Carranza was promoted to Sergeant September 2005 and appointed the 2nd squad leader position within the Detachment; ultimately, finishing his tour as the Assistant Detachment Commander. Sgt Carranza received orders to Nouakchott, Mauritania in May of 2006 and from October 2006 through December 2006, Sgt Carranza earned MSG of the Quarter, Golf Company. 2 July 2007, Sergeant Carranza was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and received orders to MSG School where he served as the Assistant Operations Chief and instructed room entry tactics, CQB, and weapons.
In May 2008, SSgt Carranza received orders HQ Co. 1st Marine Regiment and later deployed with RCT-1 to Afghanistan as the Supply Chief from July 2010 - July 2011. SSgt Carranza served as the Non-Lethal Weapons instructor, MCMAP Instructor and Supply Chief for 1st Marine Regiment. January 2012, SSgt Carranza was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.
February 2012, GySgt Carranza attended Marine Combat Instructor Course at Camp Geiger, NC. Upon graduation he was assigned as Combat Instructor with Kilo Co., Marine Combat Training Battalion. GySgt Carranza was later assigned billets of Platoon Commander, Company Gunnery Sergeant, Instructor Group Weapons Chief, and finally the Battalion Chief Instructor during his tenure.
January 2015, First Sergeant Carranza reported to 3d Battalion 8th Marines and deployed with the Battalion to Black Sea Rotational Force 15.2 and Unit Deployment Program 17.1 with Weapons Company. December 2017, First Sergeant Carranza assumed the billet of I&I First Sergeant for Site Support Broken Arrow, OK and was hand picked to be Chief Instructor for the MFR First Sergeant Symposium by the Commanding General for MFR.
1stSgt Carranza was promoted to Sergeant Major in April 2021 and received orders to Combat Logistics Battalion 8 and in August 2022 received orders to 2d Maintenance Battalion.
First Sergeant Carranza's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (1), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (x4), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (x2), Certificates of Commendation (x2), and Meritorious Masts (x2).