First Sergeant (1stSgt) Maldonado was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in September of 2005. Upon completing recruit training at MCRD Parris Island he completed Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Following MCT, he attended Communication Electronics School at Twenty-nine Palms California and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. In April of 2006, 1stSgt Maldonado was assigned to 6th Marines Regiment, Camp Lejeune, NC. During his tour at 6th Marines Regiment, he deployed multiple times to Camp Fallujah and Camp Ramadi Iraq in support of OIF 06-08 and OIF 09. During this tour he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and then Sergeant. In September of 2009, 1stSgt Maldonado received orders to MWCS-18, Okinawa Japan, as a Communications Platoon Sergeant and deployed to several different countries in support of Ulchi Freedom, Operation Tomodachi, Cobra Gold, Lava Viper, Phiblex and Key Resolve. Throughout his tour 1stSgt Maldonado attended Sgts Course and became a Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival. In September 2011, 1stSgt Maldonado was transferred to 9th Communication Battalion as the Battalion Training Schools Non-Commissioned Officer NCOIC. He was later assigned to Support Company as a Platoon Sergeant. During this tour he also attended Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructors Program and as the honor graduate. In April 2014, 1stSgt Maldonado was transferred to Drill Instructor School at MCRD, San Diego, CA. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, Golf Company where he held the billets of Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor. 1stSgt Maldonado also held the billet of Chief Instructor of the Water Survival Section while at the MCRD Swim Tank with Support Battalion, Instructional Training Company. In November 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. In June 2017, 1stSgt Maldonado was transferred to 3rd Battalion 11th Marines, Twenty-nine Palms, CA as a Radio Chief and Headquarters Platoon Sergeant. During this tour, he deployed with 2nd Bn 4th Marines to Darwin Australia as the Battery Communications Chief and served as the Chief Instructor for Corporals Course Class 582-18. In December 2018, 1stSgt Maldonado was transferred to 1st Tank Battalion as the Battalion Network Chief. In August 2019, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. In March 2020, 1stSgt Maldonado executed orders NROTC at the University of South Florida where he served as the Assistant Military Officer Instructor at the University of Southern Florida. After completing his special duty assignment he was promoted to the rank of 1stSgt. 1stSgt Maldonado is currently serving as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader for Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools Headquarters and Service Company. 1stSgt Maldonado's personal awards include the Marine Corps Commendation Medal 1 gold star in lieu of 2nd award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 1 silver star in lieu of 6th award, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon.