Leader's bio

Sergeant Major, 9th Engineer Support Battalion
Sergeant Major Mario R. Virto

Sergeant Major Virto enlisted in the Marine Corps and reported to Recruit Training aboard MCRD San Diego, California in October 2000. After completing Marine Combat Training at the School of Infantry West, Camp Pendleton, California, he was transferred to Camp Johnson, NC to attend Personnel Administration School, where he would obtain the military occupational specialty of 0121. While at school he was promoted to Private First Class and received orders to report that same month to the School of Infantry West, Camp Pendleton, California to serve as a unit diary clerk with Student Administration Company. During this tour he was promoted to Lance Corporal and held billets as the MCT orders chief and unit diary NCOIC.

In September of 2003, he reported to Combat Assault Battalion, 3d Marine Division, aboard Okinawa, Japan. There he would be promoted to the rank of Corporal and serve as the Platoon Sergeant for the Consolidated Administration Center located on Camp Schwab.

In October 2004, Sergeant Major Virto was assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard Camp Pendleton; for follow on assignment to I Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group. During this tour, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 5-07 to serve as the Administrative Chief for the Administrative Reach back Center (ARC), I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward, where he would be promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In addition to this billet, he served as the Sergeant of the Guard and worked as a liaison with 3d and 4th Civil Affairs Group in providing personnel for security in support of Civil Affairs mission throughout the Al Anbar province.

In January 2007, Sergeant Major Virto reported to Drill Instructor School Class 4-07, 1st Recruit Training Regiment Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA. After completion of Drill Instructor School, he would be assigned as a 0911 with 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Company D. During this tour, he served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In July of 2010, Sergeant Major Virto received orders to 3d Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division to serve as the Battalion Administrative Chief. He was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on 1 March 2013 and received orders to report to Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Okinawa Japan on 15 September 2013 where he served as the Operations Chief for Manpower Information Systems Support Office (MISSO) 27. On 25 March 2016, he was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant and served as the Company First Sergeant for Company A, Headquarters and Support Battalion.

On 26 September 2016, he executed orders to 1st Radio Battalion, I MEF Information Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, where he served as the Company First Sergeant for Company B. Sergeant Major Virto received orders in June of 2019 to 3d Transportation Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3D Marine Logistics Group, where he has served as the Headquarters and Service Company, Landing Support Company, and Motor Transport Company First Sergeant.

In November of 2021, he was Frocked to the rank of Sergeant Major and received orders to report to Combat Logistics Battalion 31 where he would deploy on Patrols 22.1, 22.2, 23.1, 23.2 and 24.1.

In May 2024, Sergeant Major Virto received orders for assignment as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of 9th Engineer Support Battalion.

Sergeant Major Virto holds a Master of Arts in Psychology from American Military University in Charles Town, West Virginia and personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 gold stars in lieu of fourth award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 gold stars in lieu of third award).

3d Marine Logistics Group