Sergeant Major Ortega was born in Montebello, California, on April 29, 1979.  He graduated from Azusa High School in May 1997 and reported to MCRD San Diego in January of 2000.  Graduating from recruit training in April, he then reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, CA, for Marine Combat Training.  After completing the Marine Combat Training in July of 2000, Sergeant Major Ortega was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class.  

Sergeant Major Ortega then reported to Marine Air Ground Combat Center, where he attended Field Radio Operators course as well as Multi-Channel operator’s course. Sergeant Major Ortega then reported to Fort Gordon Georgia, to attend Ground Mobile Forces communicator school.

Sergeant Major Ortega then reported to 7th Communications Battalion, Okinawa Japan in October of 2000, where he served as 93/85 van operator for Satellite Platoon. In April of 2001, Sergeant Major Ortega deployed in support of Tandem Thrust Training Exercise Rock Hampton, Queensland, Australia.  Sergeant Major Ortega was promoted to Lance Corporal upon his return from deployment.

In August of 2001, Sergeant Major Ortega reported to 9th Communications Battalion and was meritoriously promoted to Corporal as a 93/85 van team leader.  Sergeant Major Ortega deployed with 9th Communications Battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom from October 2002 to August 2003.  During this deployment Sergeant Major Ortega was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant. Upon his return from deployment, he assumed the duties as Satellite Platoon’s platoon sergeant.

In January of 2004, Sergeant Major Ortega requested and received orders for Drill Instructor Duty in San Diego, California.  After completing Drill Instructor School, he was assigned to Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, where he served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor. He also held the billet of the 2nd Battalion Drill Master.  During this tour Sergeant Major Ortega was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant.

In July of 2007, Sergeant Major Ortega received orders to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, in Camp Pendleton, California, as India Battery’s Radio Chief.  During his time with Battery I, Sergeant Major Ortega deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit from May to October of 2008. In 2009 Sergeant Major Ortega was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and transferred to Headquarters Battery, where he was assigned as the Battalion Radio Chief.  As the 1st Battalion 11th Marines Radio Chief, Sergeant Major Ortega deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from April to November of 2010.      

In August of 2011, Sergeant Major Ortega reported to 1st Tank Battalion in Twenty-nine Palms, California, as the Battalion Radio Chief.  In February of 2013, Sergeant Major Ortega was promoted to First Sergeant. He served in 1st Tank Battalion, Bravo and Delta Companies as their Company First Sergeant.

In June of 2014, Sergeant Major Ortega reported to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, Company B, where he deployed as there company First Sergeant in support of Marine Rotational Force Darwin. In January Sergeant Major Ortega transferred to Weapons Company and deployed as their Company First Sergeant in support of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Sergeant Major Ortega also held the billet of Headquarters and Service Company, First Sergeant.  

In August 2018, Sergeant Major Ortega assumed his current post serving as the Sergeant Major for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461. His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 Gold Stars in lieu of fourth award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Gold Star in lieu of second award).