Sergeant Major Soetaert assumed his current assignment as Squadron Sergeant Major on May 5th, 2023. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, he entered the Marine Corps in August of 2002 and attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego with 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Fox Company. He attended MOS school at School of Infantry, Infantry Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California and obtained the MOS of 0311, Infantry Rifleman.
Throughout his career, Sergeant Major Soetaert has been assigned as a Team Leader and Squad Leader with 1st Battalion 7th Marines and a Sergeant's Course Instructor with HQs Battalion Staff NCO Academy in Twentynine Palms, California; A Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Chief Drill Instructor with 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Bravo Company at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego; Machine Gun Section Leader, Platoon Sergeant and Chief Coxswain while assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines in Camp Pendleton,
California; Chief Instructor for Scout Swimmers and SNCOIC for the Water Survival Branch with Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific in Coronado, California; Training Chief with 4th Marine Logistics Group in New Orleans, Louisiana; Company First Sergeant for 9th Engineer Support Battalion, Engineer Company A in, Okinawa, Japan; and Company First Sergeant for 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, Company B and Headquarters & Service Company in Camp Pendleton, California; and Battalion Sergeant Major (Acting) for 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion.
He has deployed with 1st Battalion, 7th Marines during Operation Iraqi Freedom I in 2003 and Operation Iraqi Freedom II in 2004. He deployed with 1st Battalion, 4th Marines on the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2010 and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2011. He's participated in Kamandag I and Balikitan 19 in the Philippines while with 9th Engineer Support Battalion.
Sergeant Major Soetaert's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4th award) and the Combat Action Ribbon.