Sergeant Major Vargas serves as the Battalion Sergeant Major for Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
Sergeant Major Vargas is a native of Stockton, California. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 21 October 1996, attending Recruit Training at MCRD San Diego, California. Upon completion of Recruit Training, he received training at the Marine Combat Training Battalion (MCT) at Camp Pendleton, California. Sergeant Major Vargas was ordered to the Combat Service Support Schools in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to gain the primary Military Occupational Specialty of 0151.
In July of 1997, Sergeant Major Vargas received orders and reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39, Camp Pendleton, California. In October of 1998, he received orders to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166, MCAS El Toro, California. During his tour, he deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operation Restore Hope in East Timor and Operation Southern Watch in Kuwait.
In December of 2000, Sergeant Major Vargas requested and received orders to Marine Security Guard School Class 4-01, Quantico, Virginia. Upon graduation, he received orders as the Assistant Detachment Commander for the American Embassy, Monrovia, Liberia. During his tour in Liberia, Sergeant Major Vargas was sent on several security details from London, England to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In May of 2002, First Sergeant Vargas was transferred to the American Embassy, Canberra, Australia.
In October of 2003, Sergeant Major Vargas received orders to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, MCAS Miramar, California. Shortly after his check-in, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon his return, he attended the SNCOA Career Course class 5-05 at Camp Pendleton, California. In September of 2005, Sergeant Major Vargas was once again deployed to Iraq in support of OIF.
In July of 2006, Sergeant Major Vargas reported to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California and served as a Junior Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Chief Drill Instructor and Company First Sergeant.
In August of 2009, Sergeant Major Vargas received orders to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3d Marine Logistics Group, Okinawa, Japan. He served as the Administrative Chief until January 2010.
Sergeant Major Vargas reported to 3d Supply Battalion, 3d Marine Logistics Group, Okinawa, Japan in January 2010. While assigned to 3d Supply Battalion he served as the Headquarters and Service Company and Supply Company First Sergeant. While assigned to 3d Supply Battalion, he deployed to Korea and mainland Japan in support of exercise Freedom Banner and Tomandachie. In March of 2011 he attended the Senior Enlisted Professional Military Education Course in Quantico, VA.
In May of 2012 Sergeant Major Vargas received Order to 3d Combat Engineer Battalion in 29 Palms California. He deployed as the Company First Sergeant for Bravo Company for Operations Enduring Freedom 13.1/13.2 in support of Regimental Combat Team 7 and Regional Command Southwest. In February of 2014 Sergeant Major Vargas assumed the duties as the Battalion Sergeant Major and played an integral role in the deactivation of the battalion.
In July of 2014 Sergeant Major Vargas was assigned to Force Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton California. In May of 2015 he assumed the duties of the Battalion Sergeant Major until his transfer in December of 2015.
Sergeant Major Vargas’ personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award).