Sergeant Major Petrakos enlisted in the United States Marine
Corps in June 1992, graduating from MCRD, PISC in September 1992. After completion
of Marine Combat Training and Infantry Training Battalion-East (ITB-E) he was assigned
as an 0311 to 1st Battalion 8th Marines, Camp Lejeune, NC. During this tour he
participated in two deployments (22nd MEU and UDP Okinawa) and was promoted to
Corporal.
In September of 1995 Corporal Petrakos reported to Field
Medical Service School where he served as a Troop Handler and Basic Infantry
instructor for Navy Corpsman. He was
promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1997.
In September 1998, Sergeant Petrakos graduated recruiters school
and reported to RS Cincinnati, OH (later RS Charleston) and served as a
canvassing recruiter with RSS South Columbus.
Sergeant Petrakos was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant in July
2000.
In 2002, Staff Sergeant Petrakos reported to 2nd Battalion
4th Marines, Camp Pendleton, CA and served as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant for
Fox Company. He participated in deployments with the 31st MEU and OPERATION
IRAQI FREEDOM II (OIF) in Ramadi, Iraq.
In 2005, Staff Sergeant Petrakos executed orders to Officer
Candidates School in Quantico, VA where he served as the Tactics Chief,
Curriculum Developer, and Leadership evaluator. He was promoted to Gunnery
Sergeant in October 2005.
In 2007, Gunnery Sergeant Petrakos reported to 2nd Battalion
8th Marines and served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant for Fox Company and Headquarters
and Service Company. During a deployment to Ramadi, Iraqi for OIF 08-02. After
this deployment he was assigned as the Headquarters and Service Company Gunnery
Sergeant and selected to First Sergeant in December 2008.
Upon his selection to First Sergeant, he was transferred to
3rd Battalion 6th Marines in February 2009, and served as the Company First
Sergeant for Kilo Company. During this tour First Sergeant Petrakos
participated in OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF), specifically the assault on
Marjah, Afghanistan in 2010.
After deployment to OEF, First Sergeant Petrakos reported to
Financial Management School, Camp Johnson, NC in November 2010. He served as
the school First Sergeant until he volunteered to deploy as the Company First
Sergeant for Alpha Company (Mechanized), 1st Battalion 2nd Marines, 24th MEU in
March 2012.
In January 2013, First Sergeant Petrakos checked into ITB-E and
served as the Company First Sergeant for Alpha Company and Headquarters and Instructor
Company. In November 2014 he was selected to his present rank of Sergeant Major.
In December 2014, Sergeant Major Petrakos executed orders to
Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38, Miramar, CA and served as the Squadron
Sergeant Major.
In October 2015, Sergeant Major Petrakos was ordered to
Recruiting Station Cleveland, Ohio where he currently serves as the station
Sergeant Major.
His personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal with
combat distinguishing device, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps
Commendation Medal with three gold stars, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal
with three gold Stars and combat distinguishing device, and the Combat Action
ribbon with one gold star.