Sergeant Major Nicholas A. Carrel was born in Long Beach, California. Sergeant Major Carrel entered the United States Marine Corps in 1998 and graduated recruit training at MCRD San Diego, after which he reported to Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton. Following this, he completed Aviation Ordnance Technician Course at NAS Pensacola, Florida, and then Rotary Wing Ordnance Class at Camp Pendleton, California.
 
In August of 1999, as a Private First Class, Carrel reported to VMGR-152, 1st Marine Air Wing (MAW), at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Okinawa, Japan as an aviation ordnance technician until August of 2001. After completing his assignment in Okinawa, the newly promoted Corporal Carrel reported to HMM-166, 3rd MAW, MCAS Miramar, California. While assigned with HMM-166, he deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and was ultimately promoted to Sergeant.
 
In October of 2003, Sergeant Carrel reported to Recruiting Station Seattle, Washington, 12th Marine Corps District as a Canvassing Recruiter until December of 2006.
 
After completing his first special duty assignment (SDA), Sergeant Carrel reported to HMLA-269, 2d MAW, at MCAS New River, North Carolina, as an aviation ordnance technician. While with HMLA-269, Sergeant Carrel had three combat tours: he deployed to Al-Asad, Iraq in July 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF); Camp Bastion, Afghanistan in August 2008 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF); and once again to Al-Asad, Iraq in July 2009 for OIF. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in May of 2010 and roughly a year later reported to HMLAT-303, 3rd MAW at Camp Pendleton as the Ordnance Line Chief.
 
In October of 2012 Staff Sergeant Carrel reported to Drill Instructor School West and, upon graduation reported to Company C, 1st Battalion, MCRD San Diego as a Drill Instructor. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in November of 2015.
 
In January of 2016, Gunnery Sergeant Carrel reported to Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook, 3rd MAW, as the Magazine Chief. In April of that same year, he transferred to Marine Aviation Logistic Squadron (MALS) - 16, 3d MAW, at MCAS Miramar as the Ordnance Department Chief.
 
Gunnery Sergeant Carrel was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant in March 2020 and was assigned to 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment (V3/7) in Twenty-nine Palms, California for duty as Company First Sergeant. First Sergeant Carrel fulfilled this role with Weapons Company, Lima Company, and H&S Company while assigned to V3/7.
 
In November of 2022 First Sergeant Carrel reported to the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Camp Pendleton as the Company C First Sergeant. He served in this capacity until his promotion to Sergeant Major in November of 2023. Sergeant Major Carrel is currently the Battalion Sergeant Major of 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division.