Sgt. Maj. Joseph P. Olander reported to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, in July 2001. Upon completion of recruit training, he attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Engineer Equipment Operator course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he was meritoriously promoted to lance corporal.
 
He reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSG) 172 in Okinawa, Japan, in March 2002, where he performed duties as a heavy equipment operator. He reported to 1st Marine Division in February 2003. In March 2003 he was deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a combat replacement. He was assigned to Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and later to 2nd Supply Battalion. During his deployment he was promoted to corporal.
 
In October 2003, he reported to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion. In February 2004, he deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, where he served as a heavy equipment operator and fire team leader. In September 2005, he was attached to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-06, where he served as heavy equipment operator and squad leader. During this deployment he was promoted to sergeant.
 
Olander reenlisted and conducted a lateral movement to the MOS 6174, UH-1 crew chief in May 2006. In October 2006, he received orders to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA)/T-303, where he completed all training required for his lateral move and in July 2007, he was designated UH-1N crew chief. Upon his designation, he was permanently assigned to HMLA/T-303. In July 2008, he reported to HMLA-267, where he performed duties as a UH-1N crew chief. During this time, he was promoted to staff sergeant.
 
In September 2008, he reported to Marine Aviation Detachment China Lake, California, where he served as a UH-1 crew chief. In January 2009, he completed a conversion syllabus and was designated UH-1Y crew chief. While in China Lake, he held the billets of Flight Line Staff Non-commissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC) for AH-1Z Operation Evaluation, and detachment Martial Arts Instructor (MAI).
 
Olander reported to HMLA-269 in November 2011, where he performed duties as a UH-1Y crew chief, tool room SNCOIC and squadron gunnery sergeant. In March 2013, he attended Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.
 
Upon returning from WTI, he served as a squadron enlisted WTI. In February 2014, he deployed with VMM-263 (REIN) on the 22^nd Marine Expeditionary Unit where served as H-1 Flight Line SNCOIC.
 
He received orders in June 2015 to Camp Geiger, North Carolina, for duty as a combat instructor and was promoted to gunnery sergeant. Upon completion of Marine Combat Instructor Course, he was assigned to Marine Combat Training Battalion, where he served as a squad instructor, Company gunnery sergeant and Company 1st sergeant.
 
In September 2018, he reported to HMLA-269, where he served a UH-1Y crew chief, squadron WTI and enlisted aircrew training manager.
 
He reported to Site Support Terre Haute Indiana in July 2019, where he served as the Inspector-Instructor 1st Sergeant for Company B, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, 25th Marine Regiment.
 
In May 2022, he reported to 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, where he served as the company 1st sergeant for Engineer Support Company. During this time, he deployed to Norway in support of Marine Rotational Force-Europe 23.1.
 
Olander reported to MWSS-272 in May 2023, where he served as the squadron command senior enlisted leader.
 
He reported to the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit New River, North Carolina, as the command senior enlisted leader in January 2025.
 
His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards).
 

Last Updated: 18 February 2025