Max L. Murray III was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri, he graduated from Willard High School in May of 1998.
In July of 2007, Sergeant Major Murray entered the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program. He left for recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California in September of 2007 where he was promoted to Private First Class. After graduating recruit training, he reported to Camp Pendleton for Marine Combat Training (MCT).
From April to June 2008, Sergeant Major Murray completed Naval Air Technical Training, in Pensacola, Florida, where he graduated. Lance Corporal Murray graduated Naval Aviation Technical Training in November of 2008 from New River, North Carolina. He then was assigned to HMH-366, where he reported 18 November 2008.
In July 2010, Sergeant Major Murray deployed with HMH-361-(Rein) as a Collateral Duty Inspector. While deployed he received a combat promotion to the rank of Sergeant and completed Martial Arts Instructors Course in January 2011. In July of 2011, Sergeant Murray deployed to Djibouti, Africa where he was nominated for the Paul Vess Avionics-man of the Year Award. Sergeant Murray was also designated as Honor Graduate among American Forces while attending a Desert Survival Course hosted by Fifth Battalion, French Marines. While attached to HMH-366, Sergeant Murray held billets including Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative, Work Center Supervisor, EKMS custodian, Command Physical Fitness Representative, Martial Arts Instructor, and Unit Color Sergeant.
In January of 2013, Sergeant Major Murray reported to Drill Instructor School at Parris Island for class 2- 13. Sergeant Murray Graduated Drill Instructor School in April of 2013. Sergeant Murray reported to the third Recruit Training Battalion, Company M April of 2013. November of 2015, Sergeant Murray was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. As a Staff Sergeant, he was promoted to the Billet of Chief Drill Instructor for Company M of Third Recruit Training Battalion. After completing duties in Quantico as a Sergeant Instructor for Officer Candidate School, he completed his tour as a Drill Instructor and Reported to HMHT-302 in August of 2016.
While attached to HMHT-302, Sergeant Major Murray was assigned as Avionics SNCOIC, Martial Arts Instructor, Combat Marksmanship Trainer, Range Safety Officer, and Laser Safety Officer. In January of 2019, he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and filled key billets such as Squadron Gunnery Sergeant, Avionics Division Chief, a Master Gunnery Sergeant billet, as well as Unit Sergeant Major.
In March 2023, Sergeant Major Murray received orders to 2d Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, where he executed duties as First Sergeant for Company E, while executing UDP 23-2, and Company F upon return, he also served as the First Sergeant for Weapons Company. Sergeant Major Murray executed orders to 7th Communication Battalion, where he served as Headquarters Company First Sergeant. He was then transferred to III Marine Support Battalion where he served as Marine Expeditionary Force Command Element First Sergeant.
In March 2026 he was promoted to his current rank and assigned as Battalion Sergeant Major for 9th Engineer Support Battalion aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan.
Sergeant Major Murray’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 4 gold stars in lieu of fifth award.