A native of Miami, Florida, Sergeant Major Gato attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Paris
Island in September of 1999. Upon graduation he attended Marine Combat Training and subsequently, Ground
Supply School earning the MOS of 3043, Supply Administration Marine.
His services in the Operating Forces include duties as Fiscal and Warehouse Clerk, 3d Marine Expeditionary
Force Headquarters Group from March 2000 to February 2001; Supply Chief, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
from August 2007 to September 2010; First Sergeant, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines from March 2016 to January
2019; Sergeant Major, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 from May 2020 to July 2021; Marine
Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 from July 2021 to April 2023; 2d Combat Readiness Regiment from May 2023
to August 2025; Marine Corps Security Force Regiment from September 2025 to Present.
His services outside the Operating Forces include duties as Warehouse NCOIC, Service Company, Headquarters
and Service Battalion, MCRD San Diego from February 2001 to August 2002; Marine Security Guard, Marine
Security Guard Battalion from August 2002 to May 2005; Supply Chief, Inspector-Instructor Staff, Echo
Company, Anti-terrorism Battalion from May 2005 to August 2007; Faculty Advisor, SNCO Academy Camp
Lejeune from September 2010 to April 2013; Supply Chief, Marine Corps Recruiting Station Salt Lake City
from May 2013 to February 2016.
Deployments include: 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom in 2008; In 2010 with 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) in
support of operations in the 5th Fleet Are of Responsibility; In 2016-2017 with Special Purpose Marine Air
Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command with Co L, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines; In 2018 with
Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command with H&S Co, 3d Battalion,
7th Marines; In 2022 with 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (REIN) in
support of the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility.
Sergeant Major Gato holds a bachelor's degree (Cum Laude) from American Military University in
Organizational Management.
Sergeant Major Gato's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (one gold star), Navy and Marine
Corps Commendation Medal (three gold stars), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (one gold
star).