Biography
Recruiting Station Phoenix
Sergeant Major Mauro V. Anchondo

Sergeant Major Mauro V. Anchondo was born in Mexico, migrated to the United States in 1989, and grew up in Compton, California. On 9 September 2002, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and graduated boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California on 6 December 2002. 
 
On 10 January 2003, he reported for Marine Combat Training (MCT), at Camp Pendleton, California.  Private First Class Anchondo completed MCT and was joined to Motor Transportation Instruction Company, Marine Corps Detachment Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for Motor Vehicle Operator School. Private First Class Anchondo was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on 2 April 2003. Upon graduation on 2 May 2003, he earned the Military Occupational Skill (MOS) of 3531- Motor Vehicle Operator.  Lance Corporal Anchondo reported to Marine Corps Camp Pendleton, California and was joined to 11th Marines Headquarters Regiment, 1st Marine Division on 7 May 2003.
 
On 10 February 2004, Lance Corporal Anchondo was assigned as a driver for 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Fallujah, Iraq. On 1 December 2004 Lance Corporal Anchondo was promoted to the rank of Corporal where he then served as an On Vehicle Equipment Non-Commissioned Officer. In February 2005 Corporal Anchondo received orders once again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, in Ar Ramadi, Iraq where he served as an Assistant Convoy Commander and a Motor Vehicle Operator for Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Upon returning from Iraq, Corporal Anchondo was promoted to Sergeant on 1 November 2005 and attended Vehicle Recovery Operator Course, obtaining the secondary MOS of 3536- Vehicle Recovery Operator.
 
On 13 September 2006 Sergeant Anchondo was assigned the billet of Hazardous Material Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in charge for 11th Marines Regiment, 43 Area, Las Pulgas, Camp Pendleton, California where he obtained the additional MOS of 8056- Hazardous Material/ Hazardous Waste Staff Non-Commissioned Officer. 
 
On 3 April 2007 Sergeant Anchondo reported to Weapons & Field Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California. Sergeant Anchondo held the billets of Platoon Sergeant, Truck Master, and Motor Transportation Chief. On 1 October 2010 Sergeant Anchondo was selected for promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was transfered to Iwakuni, Japan.
 
Staff Sergeant Anchondo arrived to Iwakuni, Japan on 10 March 2011, where he served as Motor Transport Chief and Licensing Examiner for Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan. Also obtaining an additional MOS of 3538- Licensing Examiner.
 
On 2 January 2014 Staff Sergeant Anchondo attended Drill Instructor School at Paris Island, South Carolina.  Upon graduating Drill Instructor School he was assigned to 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Company C, where he served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and the Battalion Drill Master. On 1 August 2016 Staff Sergeant Anchondo was selected for promotion to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and was transferred to 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Company A, where he successfully completed a demanding special duty assignment of Drill Instructor duty as a Chief Drill Instructor. 
 
On 1 July 2017 Gunnery Sergeant reported to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California and was assigned as the Motor Transportation Chief. On 1 February 2018 Gunnery Sergeant Anchondo was then assigned to the billet of Company Gunnery Sergeant and Company First Sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company. Gunnery Sergeant Anchondo then served as Company First Sergeant for Company A.

On 4 March 2020 Gunnery Sergeant Anchondo was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant and executed orders to Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry- West, Camp Pendleton, California where he served as Company First Sergeant with Company C. 


On 28 August 2021 he detached Infantry Training Battalion and reported back to Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan to assume his duties as a Company First Sergeant, Headquarters Company. On 12 January 2024 First Sergeant Anchondo was frocked to the rank of Sergeant Major and executed orders to Recruiting Station Phoenix Arizona where he currently served as the RS Sergeant Major, Phoenix Arizona.
 
Sergeant Major Anchondo's personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 3 Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 4 Gold Stars, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Drill Instructor Ribbon and Combat Instructor Ribbon.
 
He has been married to Ivonne Anchondo, 21 years. They have three daughters; Crystal, Mia, and Ariana.