First Sergeant Andrew Pontious enlisted in the Marine Corps out of Toledo, Ohio and went on to graduate from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in January 2006. After completing Marine Combat Training and graduating from the Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island, he reported to the Legal Assistance Office, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California in June 2006.
In March 2008, Lance Corporal Pontious was assigned as the Legal Clerk for Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California.
Sergeant Pontious was reassigned in September 2009 as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) and Platoon Sergeant for the I Marine Expeditionary Forces Headquarters Group, Legal Section and S-1. In September 2010, Sergeant Pontious checked into Headquarters and Service Battalion, Okinawa, Japan as the Defense Services Office Chief of the Pacific Region, where he attended Sergeants Course and graduated in the top ten percent of his class.
In September 2011, Sergeant Pontious received orders to the Legal Services Support Section, Quantico, Virginia and worked in the Legal Assistance Office, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Administrative Law and Administrative support section. Sergeant Pontious was tasked with coordinating the Legal Community's reorganization of the Legal Support Service Section for Marine Corps Base Quantico.
In August of 2012, Sergeant Pontious was selected amongst the Marines Stationed in the National Capital Region to be recognized as the National Football League's Salute to Troops Honoree. Sergeant Pontious was the Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter for 3rd and 4th Quarters of fiscal year 2013 for Marine Corps Base, Quantico and he earned special recognition as Prince William Chamber of Commerce Marine of the Year.
In February 2013, Sergeant Pontious attended the Martial Arts Center of Excellence Training in Quantico, Virginia, and earned a Martial Arts Instructor tab. Staff Sergeant Pontious was reassigned as the Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCB Quantico's Legal Officer in July 2013.
Staff Sergeant Pontious was promoted and re-assigned as the Staff Noncommissioned Officer to the Staff Judge Advocates Office for 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, North Carolina in 2014. He would then go on to receive orders to Recruiting Duty in February 2017. Once he completed recruiter's school as the group leader, he was assigned to work as the Enhance Marketing Vehicle Chief for the 9th Marine Corps District, Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois.
Upon the completion of recruiting duty in 2020, Gunnery Sergeant Pontious received orders back to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point to serve as the Installation Trial Office Chief until January 2022.
January 2022, First Sergeant Pontious was promoted to his current rank and assigned as Headquarters Company First Sergeant, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28. September 2022, First Sergeant Pontious was appointed as the Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28, Sergeant Major.
March 2023, First Sergeant received orders and reported to his current billet as the Company First Sergeant at Engineer Equipment Instruction Company, Marine Detachment, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
First Sergeant Pontious's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (6th award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award).