Benjamin Maynard was born 6 October 1978 in Twin Falls, Idaho. His Marine Corps career began on 21 October 2001 when he
attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. After being meritoriously promoted to Private First Class he
attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) in Camp Pendleton, CA. Upon completion of MCT he was assigned to CH53-E Helicopter
Mechanic School in New River, North Carolina and was assigned the Military Occupational Specialty 6113, CH53-E Helicopter
Mechanic. Upon graduation he was assigned to Heavy Marine Helicopter (HMH) Squadron 462, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
He was promoted to Lance Corporal and deployed from February to September 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After returning from deployment he was promoted to Corporal and attached to Medium Marine Helicopter Squadron 165 in support of
the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard USS Bonhomme Richard where he supported humanitarian missions in Indonesia
and combat operations in Iraq. In January 2005 he was promoted to Sergeant. Upon returning from the MEU in 2005 Sgt Maynard
reported to HMH-462 where he was assigned as the Phase Crew Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in charge. Shortly after, he was
selected to be the driver for the 3D Marine Aircraft Wing Commanding General from October 2006 to February 2007. Upon
completion of his duties as the Commanding Generals driver, Sgt Maynard honorably discharged from the Marine Corps for eighteen
months.
While in the Inactive Ready Reserves he was selected to the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt). SSgt Maynard reenlisted in September 2008
and was reassigned to HMH-462 and assigned as the tool room SNCIOC. He then deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan where he was
assigned as a Maintenance Controller. Returning from deployment, SSgt Maynard attended Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor
Course aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego where he earned the instructor tab and continued his duties as a maintenance
controller where he remained until he received orders to Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG) School class 2-11.
After graduation MCESG class 2-11, SSgt Maynard was assigned as Detachment Commander for Vilnius, Lithuania. At Detachment
Vilnius SSgt Maynard received 2011 Detachment of the Year for Region One and was also meritoriously promoted to the rank of
Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt). GySgt Maynard was then reassigned as the Detachment Commander in San Salvador, El Salvador and in
2013 he received Detachment of the Year.
In April of 2014 GySgt Maynard received orders to HMH-465 as the flightline chief and later deployed to Okinawa, Japan. Upon
returning from Okinawa GySgt Maynard was reassigned to Maintenance Control as the Maintenance Control Chief.
Jan of 2016 GySgt Maynard was selected to First Sergeant (1stSgt) and assigned to Echo Battery, 2D Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment,
Camp Pendleton. 1stSgt Maynard deployed in November 2016 with Battalion Landing Team 2/5 in support of the 31st MEU and
returned May 2017. 1stSgt Maynard assumed the responsibilities as Battalion Sergeant Major (SgtMaj) from November 2017 to
January of 2018 when he executed orders.
From January 2018 to May 2021, 1stSgt Maynard was assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 3, MCB Hawaii and assumed the duties
as Support Company 1stSgt, Transportation Services Co 1stSgt, and Headquarters and Services Co 1stSgt.
In May 2021, 1stSgt Maynard was promoted to SgtMaj and assumed the duties as Command Senior Enlisted Leader,
Inspector-Instructor, for 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance battalion from June 2021 to June 2023.
In June 2023, SgtMaj Maynard transferred to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3D Marine Aircraft
Wing, for duty where he served as the Squadron Command Senior Enlisted Leader. SgtMaj Maynard earned his aerial observer wings
for the MV-22B Osprey and deployed May to December 2024 in support of Crisis Response Africa 24.2, and subsequently earned his
combat aircrew wing with three silver stars.
In October 2025 SgtMaj Maynard transferred to Marine Corps Installation Camp Mujuk, Korea to serve as the Command Senior
Enlisted Leader.
SgtMaj Maynard has a Bachelors of Science degree from Park University and his personal awards include the Meritorious Service
medal (3), Air Medal (strike/Flight) numeral "1", Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps
Achievement medal (2), Outstanding Volunteer Service medal, and various other service and campaign medals.