Staff Sergeant Leonardo A. Cancinos, USMC
Staff Sergeant Leonardo A. Cancinos was born on February 14, 1987 in Bronx, New York. In August 2005 he enlisted in the Marine and attended recruit training at Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. In December 2005, he then reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, North Carolina for Infantry Training Battalion. While there he earned the MOS of 0311.
In March 2006 upon completion of school, Private First Class Cancinos reported for duty to Anti-Terrorism Battalion 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was assigned to Bravo Company, Marine Security Force Platoon, where he served as a light machine gunner, for the 2nd fire team 1st squad. In August of 2006 he took part in a unit deployment with Anti-Terrorism Battalion, Security force Platoon to Baghdad, Iraq. In October 2006, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and assigned as Team Leader 2nd fire team 1st squad. In April 2007 Lance Corporal Cancinos volunteered to remain behind with the on-coming platoon as a combat replacement and was assigned as 1st squad leader for the remainder of the deployment. He returned from his deployment in September 2007.
In November 2007, Lance Corporal Cancinos volunteered to deploy with Task Force Military Police, and received orders to the 3rd Battalion 10th Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was assigned to Military Police Company, 1st platoon, 1st squad, 1st vehicle commander. In March 2008, he took part in the unit deployment to Ramadi, Iraq. In August 2008, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and was assigned as the Rear-Guard Commander for 1st platoon and Personnel Security Detachment Commander for the RCT Commander. He returned from his deployment in October 2008.
In November 2008, Corporal Cancinos received orders to 2nd Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune North Carolina. He was assigned to Transition Platoon, where he served as the Squad Leader. In December 2008 Corporal Cancinos was selected by the Regimental Executive Officer to serve on a Military Transition Team.
In January 2009, Corporal Cancinos received orders to Marine Headquarters Group, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was assigned to Military Transition Team 0110, where he was selected as an Advisor. In June 2009, he took part in the unit deployment to Bashara, Iraq. While there he served as the 14th Division Iraqi Army, Personnel Security Detachment Advisor. He returned from his deployment in June 2010.
Upon returning to Camp Lejeune, NC, in June 2010, Corporal Cancinos received orders to 3rd Battalion 9th Marines, Camp Lejeune North Carolina. He was assigned to Weapons Company, Combined Anti-Armor Platoon, as a Vehicle Commander. In August 2010, Corporal Cancinos reenlisted and was given orders to report to Marine Combat Instructor School.
In October 2010, Corporal Cancinos reported to Marine Combat Instructor School, School of Infantry- East, Camp Geiger, North Carolina. In December 2010 Corporal Cancinos graduated Marine Combat Instructor School, and reported to Delta Company, Infantry Training Battalion. On January 1st 2011 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. While serving in Delta Company as a Combat Instructor, Sergeant Cancinos was assigned as the Patrolling, Offense, Military Operations on Urban Terrain, Weapons and Munitions, and Physical Training, Package leader for Delta Company. In April 2013, he was selected by the Infantry Training Battalion Commander to serve in the Operations Section as the Scheduling Chief, and Schools NCO. Sergeant Cancinos ended his tour with the School of Infantry in Dec 2013, and received orders to 2nd Battalion 9Th Marines.
In Dec 2013 Sergeant Cancinos reported to 2nd Battalion 9th Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was assigned to Weapons Company and served as 1st Section Leader, Combined Anti-Armor Team One. In August 2014, he took part in the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan. In October 2014 Sergeant Cancinos was 1 of 4 Sergeants, and out of 40 Marines selected from 2nd Battalion 9th Marines to take part in “Americal”, French Special Forces selection course. Upon successful completion of “Americal” in Nov 2014, Sergeant Cancinos was assigned as Platoon Sergeant Combined Anti-Armor Team One. He would continue to serve as Platoon Sergeant until he returned from deployment in February 2015. In April 2015, 2nd Battalion 9th Marines deactivated and he requested orders to 1st Battalion 8th Marines, Camp Lejeune NC.
In April 2015, Sergeant Cancinos reported to 1st Battalion 8th Marines. He was assigned to Weapons Company and served as 4th Section Leader, Combined Anti Armor Platoon. In Nov 2015, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was selected to serve as Platoon Commander 6th Platoon, Bravo Company, while attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response Africa (SPMAGTF-CR AF) as the Alert Company. In January 2016, he took part in the unit deployment to Moron, Spain. In February Staff Sergeant Cancinos conducted a turnover with the new Platoon Commander and was made the Platoon Sergeant 6th platoon, until he returned from deployment in August 2016.
In January 2017 Staff Sergeant Cancinos reported to Marine Combat Instructor School, School of Infantry East as a “Challenger” due to achieving the MOS as a Combat Instructor in December 2010. He graduated January 30th 2017 and received orders to Bravo Company, Infantry Training Battalion. In May 2017, he was selected to serve as a Combat Instructor Trainer, and Chief Instructor for the Marine Combat Instructor School where he is currently serving.
Staff Sergeant Cancinos’ personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 gold stars in lieu of 3RD award.