Sergeant Major Joel T. McMillan is from Van Buren, Indiana. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended Recruit Training in September 2001 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. He was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class (PFC) upon graduation. PFC McMillan then attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, California where upon graduation he was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal (LCpl) and was reassigned to the Field Wireman Course, Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School in Twenty-nine Palms, California. He was selected to attend Unit Level Circuit Switch Operators Course and graduated July 2002.
In August 2002, LCpl McMillan was assigned to 8th Communications Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. LCpl McMillan participated in communication exercises and deployed to Bahrain with Marine Central Command in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in December 2002.
In October 2003, LCpl McMillan was meritoriously promoted to Corporal (Cpl). In May 2004 Cpl McMillan was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant (Sgt). Sgt McMillan re-enlisted and received orders for Drill Instructor duty.
In January 2005, Sgt McMillan reported to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Upon graduation of Drill Instructor School, Sgt McMillan was assigned to Second Recruit Training Battalion, Hotel Company. Sgt McMillan served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor as well as Water Survival Instructor during this time.
In February 2008, Sgt McMillan was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. In September of 2008, SSgt McMillan was reassigned to the 2d Marine Logistics Group, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he served as the G-6 Wire Chief and Platoon Sergeant. In January 2009, SSgt McMillan deployed for a year to Al Taqaddam Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In January 2011, SSgt McMillan was reassigned to 2nd Battalion 6th Marines as the Battalion Wire Chief. SSgt McMillan deployed in November of 2011 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he was based at FOB Geronimo. SSgt McMillan served as the Battalion Watch Officer during this time.
In March 2012, SSgt McMillan was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) and was selected for Assistant Marine Officer Instructor (AMOI) duty at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. GySgt McMillan reported to Quantico, Virginia in May 2012 where he instructed Officer Candidates School (OCS) as a Sergeant Instructor and then preceded to Purdue University for AMOI duty. GySgt McMillan participated in four summer increments as a Sergeant Instructor and Platoon Sergeant at OCS during this tour.
In November 2015, GySgt McMillan was assigned to 3d Marine Logistics Group, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, Okinawa, Japan. GySgt McMillan has served as the Regimental Wire Chief, Platoon Sergeant, Headquarters Company Gunnery Sergeant and the Headquarters Company First Sergeant.
In July 2017, GySgt McMillan was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and was assigned to be the Company First Sergeant of Motor Transportation Company, 2d Transportation Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In January 2019 he became the Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant at 2d Transportation Battalion. In July 2019 he was assigned as the Headquarters Company First Sergeant for Combat Logistics Regiment 2 where he served until February 2022.
In February of 2022 he was promoted the rank of Sergeant Major and received orders to his current duty station at Recruiting Station Indianapolis, Indiana where he currently serves as the Recruiting Sergeant Major.
His personal decorations include the, Navy Commendation Medal (w/ 2 gold stars in lieu of 3rd award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (w/ gold star in lieu of 2nd award).