Sergeant Major Cardona enlisted in the Marine Corps on 29 August 2006. He attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot
(MCRD), Parris Island, South Carolina. After graduating from recruit training, he attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp
Geiger, North Carolina. Following completion of MCT, he attended MOS school at the Personnel Administration Course in Camp
Johnson, North Carolina, for Administrative Specialist (0111).
In March 2007, then Private First Class Cardona received orders to Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, where he
served as the Legal Chief/Diary Clerk. In September 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
In April 2008, Lance Corporal Cardona received orders to Combat Logistics Company 21 (CLC-21) Cherry Point, North Carolina,
where he served as the Admin/Mail Clerk. In March 2009, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal. In April 2009,
Corporal Cardona deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Moshtarak. In May 2010,
Corporal Cardona returned from deployment and served as the Administrative Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) for the
CLC-21.
In July 2010, Corporal Cardona received orders to Headquarters Marine Corps Personnel Management Division in Quantico, Virginia.
He served as the Assistant Monitor for Officer Assignments and the Administrative NCOIC for MMOA-1. In May 2011, Corporal
Cardona was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
In July 2013, Sergeant Cardona received orders to Drill Instructor School class 4-13, MCRD, San Diego, California. Upon graduating,
he was assigned to 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Company
C. In February 2015, Sergeant Cardona was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and, in August 2015, was transferred to receiving
company. His billets included Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor.
In November 2016, Staff Sergeant Cardona received orders to 11th Marines, Camp Pendleton, California, where he served as the
Regimental Administrative Chief. In August 2017, Staff Sergeant Cardona deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve,
where he served as the Administrative Chief and the Company Platoon Sergeant for Task Force Lion. In April 2018, Staff Sergeant
Cardona returned from his deployment and returned to 11th Marines. In November 2018, Staff Sergeant Cardona was promoted to the
rank of Gunnery Sergeant.
In June 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Cardona received orders to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico,
Virginia, where he served as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC) at the Installation Personnel Administration
Center (IPAC) Separations and
Retirement section. In July 2019, he received orders to Headquarters Marine Corps Manpower Management Records and Performance
(MMRP-50), where he was hand selected to serve as an Enlisted Career Counselor. In April 2021, Gunnery Sergeant Cardona was
hand selected to serve as the Manpower Management (MM) Division, Administrative Chief.
In July 2022, Gunnery Sergeant Cardona was promoted (frocked) to the rank of First Sergeant and executed orders to Marine Wing
Support Squadron 472, Marine Aircraft Group 49, where he served as the Site Support First Sergeant for Detachment Alpha.
In March 2025, First Sergeant Cardona received orders to Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters
Marine Corps, Henderson Hall. In June 2026, First Sergeant Cardona was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major.
In July 2026, Sergeant Major Cardona received orders to The Basic School, Combat Instructor Battalion, where he currently serves as
the Command Senior Enlisted.
Sergeant Major Cardona's personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal W/ Three Gold Stars in lieu
of fourth award, The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal W/ Combat “C” device, and Three Gold Stars in lieu of fourth
award.