Sergeant Major Mercedes was born in the Dominican Republic. He later moved to the Bronx, New York. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in October of 2001. He attended Recruit Training at Parris Island, SC, on 8 April 2002. Upon graduation from Recruit Training in July 2002, Private First Class Mercedes attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, NC, in August 2002, where he was the Honor Graduate. After completion, Private First Class Mercedes attended the Traffic Management Specialist Course aboard Fort Eustis, Virginia.
In September 2002, upon graduating from MOS school as the Honor graduate, he was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal. He received orders to Marine Corps Base, Headquarters and Service Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
In December 2003, Lance Corporal Mercedes was meritoriously promoted to Corporal and assigned as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge for the Traffic Management Office aboard Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. In January 2003, he received orders to Combat Logistics Company 21, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. During this time, he worked outside of his MOS as an Embarkation Specialist at the Aerial Port of Embarkation. He directly supported missions that included Haiti Hurricane Relief and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In August 2004, Corporal Mercedes was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant. In May 2005, Sergeant Mercedes attended the Basic Parachutist, Airborne Course aboard Fort Benning, Georgia. In March of 2008, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.
In April 2008, Staff Sergeant Mercedes attached to Combat Logistics Regiment 2, Combat Logistics Battalion 2, for a deployment to Al Anbar Province, Iraq, where he served as the Platoon Commander for Security Operations Company. In November of 2009, Staff Sergeant Mercedes received orders to Okinawa, Japan, where he served as the Range Officer in Charge, responsible for the annual pistol and rifle marksmanship qualification for all personnel aboard Okinawa. In April 201, he completed the Martial Arts Instructor Trainer Course in Quantico, Virginia.
Staff Sergeant Mercedes reported to Drill Instructor School on 5 July 2012. Immediately after completing Drill Instructor School, Staff Sergeant Mercedes received orders to report to 1st Battalion, Charlie Company, Recruit Training Regiment. He picked up his inaugural Platoon, 1102, which graduated as the Honor Platoon. Within the Drill Field, he held the billets of Drill instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Chief Drill Instructor and Company First Sergeant. In September 2013, Staff Sergeant Mercedes was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.
In August 2015, Gunnery Sergeant Mercedes attended the Advanced Course aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he graduated as the Gung Ho recipient.
In 2016, Gunnery Sergeant Mercedes deployed with the 11th MEU as the Distribution Cell OIC, supporting distribution operations for the MEU in the 7th and 5th Fleet. Upon completion of the MEU he was frocked to First Sergeant and assigned to the 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion.
In September 2017, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division as the First Sergeant for Battery A. The Battery deployed under 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment to support a WESTPAC in the spring of 2019.
In March 2020, First Sergeant Mercedes was assigned to Marine Air Control Group 28, where he served as the Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant for Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28. He was selected to the rank of Sergeant Major in November of 2021.
In January of 2022, Sergeant Mercedes was assigned to the 2d Landing Support Battalion, where he is currently serving as the Battalion Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Mercedes holds an Associate Degree in General Studies. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold stars in lieu of third award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold stars in lieu of fifth award.