Sergeant Major Novak was born in May of 1979.  Upon completion of high school Sergeant Major Novak enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1998 and completed recruit training at MCRD San Diego, California April of 1998.  Following recruit training, Sergeant Major Novak attended Marine Combat Training Battalion and Assault Amphibian Crewman School at Camp Pendleton, CA, where he was assigned the MOS of 1833.

In September 1998, Sergeant Major Novak then reported to Headquarters and Service Company, Mobility Counter Mobility Platoon, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd MARDIV.  In February of 1999, he was promoted to Lance Corporal.  In October of 1999, he was promoted to Corporal and sent to attend Corporals Leadership Course in Camp Lejeune, NC.

In January of 2001, Sergeant Major Novak was promoted to Sergeant and was sent to attend the Sergeants Course.  In February 2002, Sergeant Major Novak deployed as an Assistant Section Leader with Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/6 as part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  In February 2003, Sergeant Major Novak deployed as Section Leader with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Regimental Combat Team One as the Obstacle Clearing Detachment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  In January 2004, Sergeant Major Novak reported to Drill Instructor School at Parris Island, SC. Upon completion, Sergeant Major Novak became a Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival and worked for Company C, 1st Recruit Training Battalion.   Sergeant Major Novak was promoted to Staff Sergeant in October of 2004.  While on Parris Island, Sergeant Major Novak was assigned as the Escort and Visits Staff Non Commissioned officer in the Recruit Training Regiment.  While on quota, Sergeant Major Novak attended the Career Course at Camp Geiger, NC. In March of 2007, Sergeant Major Novak completed a successful tour on the drill field.

Sergeant Major Novak was then transferred back to 1st Platoon, Company C, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion as a Section Leader.  In February of 2008, Sergeant Major deployed with BLT 1/6 and the 24th MEU in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Route Clearance Detachment in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

In August 2009, Sergeant Major Novak was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.  In August of 2010, Sergeant Major Novak deployed with BLT 3/8 and the 26th MEU to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After returning from deployment, he was assigned as the Platoon Sergeant for 1st Platoon.   He was also serving as acting First Sergeant for Company C, 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion.    During this time Sergeant Major Novak attended and graduated from Advanced Course at Camp Geiger, NC.  In May of 2012, Sergeant Major Novak was deployed to the United Arab Emirates as an individual augment to serve as an advisor to the Presidential Guard Institute Recruit Wing.  He served there as both lead instructor and Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge.  Upon receipt of orders and selection to First Sergeant, he returned to 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion.

June 2013 Sergeant Major Novak was assigned as Company First Sergeant for Company G Marine Combat Training Battalion were he completed 19 training cycles. In June of 2016 Sergeant Major was assigned to 1st Battalion 5th Marines Company C First Sergeant were he deployed with the 15th MEU.

In April of 2018 after being frocked to Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major Novak went to work for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13.

Sergeant Major Novak’s personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal fourth award w/Combat Distinguishing Device, Navy Achievement Medal second award w/Combat Distinguishing Device, Combat Action Ribbon second award, Good Conduct Medal sixth award and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.