Master Sergeant Charles Michael Zolotas is a native of Boston, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 13 July 2005 from Boston, Massachusetts and attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, SC. Upon completion, he received training at Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Lejeune, NC. Following MCT, he reported to Camp Lejeune, NC for Personnel Administration School where he received the MOS 0151 as a Personnel Clerk.
In January of 2006, he reported to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division in 29 Camp Pendleton, CA. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in April of 2006. In September of 2007, he deployed to Waled, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was promoted to the rank of Corporal on March 2007. During this deployment he served as a Combat Operations Center Watch Officer. Upon returning from deployment in April of 2008, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant May of 2008.
He lateral moved to the Career Planner MOS in November of 2008 and attended Career Planner Course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, CA. Upon graduation he received orders to 3d Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine AirCraft Group-38, 3d Marine Air Wing, Camp Pendleton, CA. on. In March of 2010, he deployed with 3d LAAD Bn to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this deployment he served as the Career Planner for all Marine operating units in Afghanistan. Upon completion of deployment in October 2010 he was named Career Planner of the Year for 3d MAW.
In August of 2011 he received orders to Marine Air Logistics Squadron 16, Marine Air-Craft Group-38, 3d Marine Air Wing, Miramar, CA . During this time he served as the Career Planner, Unit Transition Coordinator and Marine Air-Craft Group-16, 3d Marine Air Wing Career Planner Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge.
In July of 2013 he received orders to Basic Recruiter School, Class 6-13, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA. Upon completion of Basic Recruiter School, he was then assigned to Recruiting Sub-Station El Cajon, Recruiting Station San Diego, 12th Marine Corps District, Western Recruiting Region. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant on January of 2014 and during his first year as a Canvassing Recruiter he was named RS San Diego's Rookie Recruiter of the Year.
In October of 2015 he was made the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Recruiting Substation Claremont, Recruiting Station San Diego. In November of 2016 his RSS won RS San Diego's Fiscal Year 2015 Standard (1/4) Station of the Year. In July of 2016 he was approved for lateral move to become a Career Recruiter (8412 mos) and attended Career Recruiter School, Class 3-16, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA.
In July of 2016 he was made the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Recruiting Substation El Cajon, Recruiting Station San Diego. In February of 2017 he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. In November of 2018 his RSS won RS San Diego's Fiscal Year 2017 Large (1/6) Station of the Year and he won Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Year.
In July of 2018 he was made the Assistant Recruiter Instructor of Recruiting Station San Diego. In July of 2019 he was made the Operations Chief of Recruiting Station San Diego.
In June of 2020 he received orders to Recruiting Station Portland, 12th Marine Corps District, Western Recruiting Region as an Assistant Recruiting Instructor. In May of 2021 he became the Operations Chief for Recruiting Station Portland. In August of 2021 he was promoted to Master Sergeant. In Dec of 2022 he was made the Recruiting Instructor for Recruiting Station Portland.
In June of 2024 he received orders to Recruiting Station Austin, 8th Marine Corps District, Western Recruiting Region and is currently serving as the Recruiting Instructor.
Master Sergeant Zolotas' personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2 gold stars in lieu of 3rd award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 3 gold stars in lieu of 4th
award. Master Sergeant Zolotas holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in business and psychology from Liberty University.