Sergeant Major Woods was born in Kansas City, Missouri in August 1974. In October 1992, he graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. He completed Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, California in November 1992. In March 1993, Private First Class Woods was assigned the military occupational specialty of 1812 at the Basic M1A1 Tank Crewman’s Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. From March 1993 to June 1994, he served as M1A1 tank driver and loader with Bravo Company, Second Tank Battalion, Second Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
In October 1994, Lance Corporal Woods graduated from Marine Security Guard School and was transferred to the American Embassy in Rangoon Burma. Upon completion of his tour, Corporal Woods was transferred to Charlie Company, 2d Tank Battalion, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and meritoriously promoted to Sergeant.
In May 1996, Sergeant Woods deployed as a tank gunner with First Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment, Twenty Sixth Marine Expeditionary Unit. During this deployment he participated in Operation Decisive Endeavor in the former Yugoslavia, Operation Silver Wake in Albania, and Operation Decisive Endeavour in Zaire, Africa. In 1997, Sergeant Woods deployed as a tank commander with Third Battalion, Sixth Marine Regiment, Twenty Fourth Marine Expeditionary Unit. During this deployment he participated in Operation Joint Guard in Yemen, and Operation Desert Thunder in Kuwait. In 1998 and 1999, Sergeant Woods served as a M1A1 Tank Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Commander in Charlie Company, Second Tank Battalion. Staff Sergeant Woods attained the additional military occupational specialty of 8563 when he graduated from the Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival School in 1999. In August 1999, SSgt Woods was transferred to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.
In January 2000, Staff Sergeant Woods reported for duty with Bravo Company, First Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Parris Island, South Carolina. He served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the Water Survival Section. In November 2002, Staff Sergeant Woods was transferred to Alpha Company, Second Tank Battalion, Second Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
In January 2003, Staff Sergeant Woods deployed as a M1A1 Tank Platoon Sergeant to Kuwait and subsequently participated in the invasion of Iraq with Regimental Combat Team Five, First Marine Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom I. Upon return to the United States, Gunnery Sergeant Woods served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant, and acting First Sergeant and Company Executive Officer of Headquarters and Service Company, Second Tank Battalion. In September of 2005, Gunnery Sergeant Woods deployed with Delta Company, Second Tank Battalion to Iraq. During this deployment Gunnery Sergeant Woods served with Regimental Combat Teams Eight and Five in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom 4-6 and 5-7.
In May of 2006, First Sergeant Woods served as Company D First Sergeant until he was reassigned to Company B, Marine Barracks Washington D.C in August of 2006 until April 2009. He then served as the Company First Sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company and Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom 10-01. He is currently assigned as the Sergeant Major of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment.
His personal decorations include; The Bronze Star Medal w/ “V”, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “V” and one gold star in lieu of second award; the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with “V” and two gold stars in lieu of third award; and the Combat Action Ribbon with one gold star.