First Sergeant Carlos M. Mena was born in Managua, Nicaragua. On May 25, 1999 he enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. After completion of recruit training he attended Infantry Training Battalion aboard Camp Geiger.

After completing MOS school Private First Sergeant Mena executed orders to 3^rd Battalion 3^rd Marine Regiment. In October of 2000 he deployed to Okinawa Japan as a Squad Automatic Rifleman. In 2002 he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. In the same year he deployed to Okinawa as a team leader with 3^rd Battalion 3^rd Marines Kilo Company. In 2003 he was promoted to Sergeant while deployed with the 31^st MEU.

In 2004 First Sergeant Mena executed orders to The School of Infantry West, Camp Pendleton, California.  There he served as a Squad Advisor for Bravo Company for 7 cycles. During his time in Bravo Company, First Sergeant Mena attended and completed the 0351 package. First Sergeant Mena received an additional MOS of 0351. After completion of the course, First Sergeant Mena was moved to the Instructor Group to be an instructor at the 0351 package.

In 2007 First Sergeant Mena executed orders to 2d Battalion 3^rd Marine Regiment.  In October of 2007 First Sergeant Mena was promoted to Staff Sergeant. As a Section Leader in Fox Company, First Sergeant Mena deployed to Iraq in 2008. In 2009 First Sergeant Mena deployed to Afghanistan as a Platoon Sergeant also with Fox Company.

In 2010 First Sergeant Mena received orders to The Basic School, Quantico Virginia. There he served as Section Leader for Infantry Platoon. Task included instruction of junior officers attending the school along with facilitation of training conducted by the Marines attached to Infantry Platoon. In 2012 First Sergeant Mena was assigned to Charlie Company to act as the Company Gunnery.

In 2013 First Sergeant Mena executed orders to 2d Battalion 6^th Marine Regiment. In September of 2013 First Sergeant Mena was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant while deployed to Okinawa as Company Gunny for Fox Company. In 2015 First Sergeant Mena deployed with the 26^th MEU as a Company Gunnery Sergeant for H&S Company.

In 2016 First Sergeant executed orders to SOI-E. There First Sergeant Mena served as an instructor at the Infantry Unit Leaders Course teaching infantry Staff Sergeants and Staff Sergeants select the skills needed to serve as an infantry platoon sergeant. In 2017 First Sergeant Mena was selected to serve as the company First Sergeant for the Infantry Unit Leader Training Company.

In 2018 First Sergeant Mena was selected to his current rank and received orders to 2d Maintenance Battalion where he serves as the Company First Sergeant Electrical Maintenance Company, General Support Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Company 21 along with servings as a Company First Sergeant during Trident Juncture 2018.

In 2019 First Sergeant Mena was selected to serve as the Senior Enlisted Advisor, Camp Mujuk Korea.

First Sergeant Mena’s personal awards include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 3 gold stars in lieu of his 4th award, the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.