Sergeant Major Baez enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 1994 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego in 1995 and 1998. Following completion of recruit training Private First Class Baez reported to Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-West for training as an Infantry Rifleman.
Upon graduation in October 1998, Private First Class Baez checked into Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. He served there from October 1998 to June 2002; he deployed with the 11th and 15th MEU’s and participated in Operation Southern Watch in the Persian Gulf and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He served as Rifleman, Automatic Rifleman, Team Leader and Squad leader and was promoted to the rank of Corporal in April of 2001.
In June 2002, Corporal Baez transferred to Alpha Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-West, for duty as a Combat Instructor. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in October of 2002 and served as a Combat Instructor and Platoon Commander.
In July 2005, Sergeant Baez transferred to Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, for duty as a Squad Leader. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in December 2006. He deployed with the 31st MEU and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Humanitarian Assistance Operations in the Philippines. He served in the billets of Squad Leader, Platoon Guide, Machinegun Section Leader, Rifle Platoon Sergeant and Weapons Platoon Sergeant.
Staff Sergeant Baez transferred to the Staff NCO Academy Camp Lejeune in July 2008. He was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in June 2009. He served as the Command Physical Training Representative and Combat Conditioning Instructor. He served as a Faculty Advisor for the Sergeant’s, Career and Advanced Courses as the primary warfighting, tactics and fire support Instructor.
In March 2011, Gunnery Sergeant Baez transferred to 2nd Intelligence Battalion for duty as the Ground Sensor Platoon Sergeant. He deployed to Afghanistan and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon return he served as the Headquarters and Service Company Gunnery Sergeant and First Sergeant. He was selected to his current rank in December 2012 and was frocked in March 2013.
In March 2013, First Sergeant Baez was transferred to 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 29 Palms California for duty as Bravo Company First Sergeant. First Sergeant Baez deployed with the Unit Deployment Program and upon return was assigned as the Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant. He also served as the Charlie Company First Sergeant prior to his transfer in 2016.
In March of 2016, First Sergeant Baez transferred to Headquarters and Service Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion, School of Infantry-East, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for duty as Company First Sergeant. In November 2016 he was selected to serve as the Marine Combat Instructor School Director until his transfer to his current billet as 8th Engineer Support Battalion Sergeant Major.
His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one Silver Star in lieu of sixth award and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.