Gunnery Sergeant Long was born in Wayne, Michigan and raised in Westland, Michigan. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 2009 and attended recruit training in Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina where he was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class. In March 2010 he then reported to School of Infantry, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for Marine Combat Training. He was then transferred to US Army Training Center, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for MOS school training where he earned the MOS of 3531.
In June 2010, upon completion of MOS school, Private First Class Long reported for duty at III MEF Headquarters Group, Okinawa Japan. He was assigned to Motor Transport platoon where he worked as a Motor Transport Operator. Lance Corporal Long was then sent on the Fleet Assistance Program to IE Jima Island where he was assigned the Motor Transport Chief for a time of 6 Months. Lance Corporal Long returned to III MEF Headquarters group where he was meritoriously promoted to Corporal.
In June 2012 Corporal Long reported to 3d Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division as the Chief Dispatcher in Motor Transport Platoon. In October 2012 Corporal Long attended the Motor Transport Non-Commissioned Officers Course. In March 2013, Corporal Long then deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit as a part of the Battalion Landing team where he was the Chief Dispatcher for Battalion Landing Team 3/2. In April 2013 Corporal Long attended Corporals Course aboard the USS Kearsarge. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in January 2014. Sergeant Long attended Sergeants Course in March 2014, at Camp Johnson, North Carolina.
In June 2014 Sergeant Long reported to 2D Combat Engineer Battalion, 2D Marine Division Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. While Serving as Operations Chief and Truck master for 2D Combat Engineer Battalion Sergeant Long also completed the Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Course to become a Black Belt Instructor. Sgt Long also earned an associate degree from the University of Phoenix in information technology.
In January 2016, Sergeant Long reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina for Drill Instructor Duty with Class 2-16. He was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant and served as a Drill instructor, Senior Drill instructor and Chief Drill instructor for Kilo Company. While aboard MCRD, he completed his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ashford University.
In June 2019, SSgt Long reported to MWSS 373 aboard MCAS Miramar where he was assigned as the Motor Transport Chief in Airfield Operations Company, Fuels section. In 2021, SSgt Long deployed with MWSD-373 as the Logistics Chief with SPMAGTF 21.2. During the SPMAGTF, SSgt Long was deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan in support of Operation Allies Refuge (OAR) where he was assigned as a squad leader for a crowd control section, successfully evacuating over 100,000 people out of Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA).
GySgt Long reported to the University of Oklahoma in Fall 2022 and administers all aspects of customs, courtesies and discipline for the Sooner Battalion.
He is married to the former Ashley Sells and has three Daughters and one Son named Vienna, Autumn, Isabel, and Shawn III.
