Sergeant Major Joseph D. Powers attended Recruit Training in January of 2005 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island and attended Marine Combat Training at the School of Infantry-East.  Upon completion he attended the Aviation Electricians Course in Pensacola, Florida.  In October of 2005, Private First Class Powers was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and graduated from Aviation Electricians Course.  He then attended Miniature-Microminiature Computer Repair Course in Norfolk, Virginia. 

Lance Corporal Powers reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 14, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina in March 2006 where he served as a Miniature Electronics Repair Technician.  In June of 2007, Lance Corporal Powers was promoted to the rank of Corporal.  In September 2007, Corporal Powers deployed to Al Assad Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and returned in April 2008.   
 
In January 2009, Corporal Powers reported to Marine Combat Instructor School (MCIS), School of Infantry-West (SOI-West).  In February of 2009, Corporal Powers was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  In March 2009, Sergeant Powers reported to Marine Combat Training Battalion (MCT).  While at MCT, Sergeant Powers served as a Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Commander, and Primary Instructor for Weapon Section Headquarters Instructor Group MCT.  While serving as a Combat Instructor (CI) at MCT, Sergeant Powers was selected as Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Fiscal Year 2010 for MCT and SOI-West.  In April 2011, Sergeant Powers was selected to instruct at MCIS.  In July of 2011, Sergeant Powers was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. 
 
In October 2012, Staff Sergeant Powers transferred to MALS 16, MCAS Miramar San Diego, California to serve as the work center Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC) for work center 690.  In June 2013, Staff Sergeant Powers served as the SS Curtiss Embark Security Team Tactical Supervisor for the Dawn Blitz 2013 Exercise.  In December 2013, Staff Sergeant Powers deployed to Helmand Provence Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and returned June of 2014.  While deployed Staff Sergeant Powers received a combat meritorious promotion to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. 
 
In December 2015, Gunnery Sergeant Powers transferred to MALS 36, MCAS Futenma Okinawa, Japan.  While there he served as the Avionics SNCOIC, Family Readiness Officer, Substance Abuse Counseling Officer, and Squadron Gunnery Sergeant.  In December 2017, Gunnery Sergeant Powers was transferred to MALS 26, MCAS New River, Jacksonville, North Carolina to serve as the work center SNCOIC for work center 690.  Shortly after arriving, he was selected for promotion to First Sergeant. 
 
In March 2018, Gunnery Sergeant Powers was promoted to First Sergeant and transferred to 2d Tank Battalion Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, North Carolina to assist with the standing up of Charlie Company and serve as the Company First Sergeant.  In August 2019, First Sergeant Powers reported to Battalion Landing Team 2/8 to serve as the Fox Company First Sergeant and deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.  First Sergeant Powers returned from deployment in July 2020 and received orders to 7th Engineer Support Battalion.  In November 2020, First Sergeant Powers reported to 7th Engineer Support Battalion where he was assigned to Engineer Support Company to serve as the Company First Sergeant.  In March 2022, Sergeant Major Powers was promoted and reported to School of Infantry-West, Headquarters and Support Battalion to serve in his current billet as the Battalion Sergeant Major.  In addition, Sergeant Major Powers is also the Sergeant Major (Interim), School of Infantry-West.
 
First Sergeant Powers personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 3 gold stars in lieu of fourth award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 gold stars in lieu of third award.