Sergeant Major Cory Daly was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on September 11, 1984. He graduated from Bellwood-Antis High School in Bellwood, Pennsylvania in 2003. Sergeant Major Daly graduated from Company A, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina in May of 2004. Upon graduation, he reported to School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, North Carolina for Marine Combat Training.
In June of 2004, Sergeant Major Daly reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida for "A" School. There, he completed Avionics Technician Common Core and Intermediate Level courses. In March of 2005, Sergeant Major Daly reported to Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia for "C" School. He attended the Computer Automated Test Station and the Electronic Module Test Console Operator and Maintenance Technician courses and earned the MOS of 6484, Electronic Countermeasures Technician.
In June of 2005, Sergeant Major Daly was promoted to Lance Corporal and executed orders to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-14 (MALS-14) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. There, he was assigned to Work Center 64B, in support of EA-6B Prowler aircraft. Sergeant Major Daly
was promoted to the rank of Corporal in May 2006, and served as the CATIIID and EMTC Test Bench Supervisor. In January of 2008, Sergeant Major Daly was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. From April to October 2010, Sergeant Major Daly deployed with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-2 to Bagram, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In July of 2011, Sergeant Major Daly was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and received orders to attend Drill Instructor School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. Upon graduation, Sergeant Major Daly was assigned to Company C, 1st Recruit Training Battalion. There he served as a Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Chief Drill Instructor. Additionally, Sergeant Major Daly served in the operations section with Weapons and Field Training Battalion. Upon completion of this tour, Sergeant Major Daly received orders to MALS-24, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
While at MALS-24, Sergeant Major Daly served as SNCOIC of Work Center 650, in support of CH-53E Super Stallion and MV-22 Osprey aircraft. There, he was selected to serve as the Squadron Gunnery Sergeant. His additional billets included Collateral Duty Inspector and Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative. In April of 2016, Sergeant Major Daly deployed as an individual augment with Security Assistance Office - Afghanistan, Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan. There he served as the SNCOIC for SAO-A, monitoring the procurement and accountability of foreign military sales for the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.
In July of 2017, Sergeant Major Daly was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. In September, Sergeant Major Daly received orders for Drill Instructor duty at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. There, he served as a Chief Drill Instructor for Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. Additionally, he served as a Chief Drill Instructor for Special Training Company, Support Battalion. In July of 2020, Sergeant Major Daly executed orders to MALS-11, MCAS Miramar, California.
While at MALS-11, Sergeant Major Daly served as the SNCOIC for Avionics Work Center 63D, in support of F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. Sergeant Major Daly was promoted to First Sergeant in June of 2021 and executed orders to 2d Battalion, 5th Marines. There he served as the Weapons Company First Sergeant and deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's 22.2 patrol. In June of 2023, Sergeant Major Daly assumed the role as the Headquarters Company First Sergeant for 5th Marine Regiment.
In September 2024, Sergeant Major Daly transferred to Marine Corps Security Forces Battalion, Kings Bay, Georgia where he currently serves as the Battalion Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Daly's personal awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, the Drill Instructor ribbon with bronze star in lieu of second award, and the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency in Gold. Sergeant Major Daly holds a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security and an Associate's Degree in Weapons of Mass Destruction Preparedness from American Military University.