Sergeant Major Sanchez enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in June 2004. Upon completion of recruit training, he reported to Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, California, and subsequently attended follow-on training as a Corrections Specialist at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
His first assignment was at the Base Brig, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During this tour, he was promoted to the rank of corporal in 2005 and served as the Driver and Protocol Noncommissioned Officer for the Base Commander. Upon returning to the Base Brig, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and assigned as a Watch Supervisor.
In 2008, Sergeant Major Sanchez reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, to earn the title of Drill Instructor. He served with distinction as a Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor, and Senior Drill Instructor. Following the successful completion of this special duty assignment in 2011, he was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.
Later that year, he reported to the Camp Pendleton Base Brig for duty as Duty Brig Supervisor. In 2013, he transferred to 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, serving as the Detainee Operations Staff Noncommissioned Officer and Non-Lethal Weapons Instructor. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, serving as Detainee Operations Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge.
In 2014, he received orders to Marine Security Guard School, Quantico, Virginia. He graduated in 2015 with distinction, earning recognition as the honor graduate. He went on to serve as the Detachment Commander in Chengdu, China; Monterrey, Mexico; and Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
In 2018, he reported to Security and Emergency Services Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California, where he served as Corrections Counselor and managed a caseload of high-profile prisoners.
In 2019, he was selected for promotion to first sergeant and assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, deploying with Headquarters and Service Company in support of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 2.19. In 2020, he participated in the Southwest Border Mission as First Sergeant for Company A.
In April 2021, he transferred to Company C, as Site Support First Sergeant in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was promoted to his current rank of Sergeant Major in August 2023 and served as the Site Support Sergeant Major for 1st Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division.
Sergeant Major Sanchez reported to Marine Aircraft Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in July 2025, and assumed his current position as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
Sergeant Major Sanchez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.