Anatoly N. Ray is a native of West Jefferson, North Carolina. He enlisted in August 2010 and underwent recruit training with Company H, 2d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California.
In November of 2010, Private Ray completed Marine Combat Training aboard Camp Pendleton, California. In April of 2011, Private First Class Ray completed Basic Engineer Electrical Equipment Systems Technician Course and was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
In April of 2011, Lance Corporal Ray reported to 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion. In November of that year he was deployed to Afghanistan. Upon his return from Afghanistan, Corporal Ray was re-assigned to Bravo Company in order to serve as a machine gunner. He deployed back to Afghanistan in 2013 in support of route clearance operations. In May of 2014, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
In July of 2014, Sergeant Ray reported to Marine Wing Support Detachment-24, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. During his time in Hawaii, Sergeant Ray deployed throughout the Pacific region, including Guam, Okinawa and Hawaii in support of numerous named exercises. Additionally, he served as the Color Sergeant, Utilities Chief and lead Martial Arts Instructor.
In January of 2017, Sergeant Ray reported to the Martial Arts Center of Excellence, Quantico, Virginia in order to assist with standing up and developing the Force Fitness Instructor Program. Sergeant Ray was hand selected to become the first American to ever attend the Royal Marine's Physical Training Instructor Course at the Royal Marine's Commando Training Centre, Lympstone, England. During his time in England, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Staff Sergeant Ray returned to Virginia and taught six consecutive
Force Fitness Instructor Courses, including a Mobile Training Team to Okinawa, Japan.
In June of 2019, Staff Sergeant Ray was assigned to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, Camp Hansen, Okinawa. Staff Sergeant Ray served in a variety of positions including Electrical Section Operations Chief and Electrical Section SNCOIC, as well as the Battalion Training Chief. Staff Sergeant Ray then received orders to Marine Corps Embassy Security Group and reported in May of 2022.
In May of 2022, Staff Sergeant Ray reported to Marine Corps Embassy Security Group Detachment Commander School 4-22. In August of that year, he reported to his first post in Sofia, Bulgaria. In December 2023, he reported to Marine Security Augmentation Unit in Quantico, Virginia. During his time in Virginia, Staff Sergeant Ray led a Presidential security mission in support of the G-20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and a security augmentation to the U.S. Embassy in Juba, South Sudan. In April of 2025, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. He led a final Presidential Security mission in support of the NATO Summit to The Hague, Netherlands.
In September of 2025, Gunnery Sergeant Ray reported to Combat Logistics Company-23 in Beaufort, South Carolina where he currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader.
Gunnery Sergeant Ray's personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 Gold Stars, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal in lieu of 3rd award, and the NATO ISAF Medal. Gunnery Sergeant Ray holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management.
Gunnery Sergeant Ray is happily married to Zlatomira Ray.