Master Gunnery Sergeant Ishmael P. Castillo United States Marine Corps (ret.) is a native of Hereford, Texas. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 14, 1988, and graduated Recruit Training in December 1988 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA.

In January 1989 Private First Class Castillo was assigned to Marine Corps Detachment Fort Knox, KY, Armor Crewman Basic Course for his military occupation training.

In March 1989, PFC Castillo was assigned to Company C, 3d Tank Battalion, 3d Marine Division, MCAGCC Twenty-Nine Palms, CA.

In May 1990, Lance Corporal Castillo was assigned to the Fleet Assistance Program HQ Battalion, MCAGCC, Twenty-Nine Palms, CA. LCpl Castillo worked as a Marksmanship Instructor at the Base Rifle Range.

In August 1990, Lance Corporal Castillo was re-assigned to Company C, 3d Tank Battalion, and deployed with Company C, 3d Tank Battalion in support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He was meritoriously promoted to the Rank of Corporal on September 2, 1990.

In December 1991, Corporal Castillo was assigned to Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Edson Range Camp Pendleton, CA. Corporal Castillo as a Marksmanship Instructor trained entry-level Marine Corps Recruits.

In July 1992, Corporal Castillo was assigned to the Inspector-Instructor Staff Company A, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Miramar, CA. On January 1, 1994, he was promoted to the Rank of Sergeant.  

In March 1994 Sergeant Castillo received orders to Marine Corps Embassy Security Group Quantico, VA.

In June 1994, Sergeant Castillo was assigned to American Embassy Dakar, Senegal West Africa as a Marine Embassy Guard. In September 1995, Sergeant Castillo was re-assigned to the American Embassy in Tel-Aviv, Israel as a Marine Embassy Guard for his final assignment on Embassy duty.

In December 1996, Sergeant Castillo was assigned to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division MCAGCC Twenty-nine Palms, CA. He assumed the duties of Platoon Sergeant, 3d Platoon Company D.

Sergeant Castillo attended Tank Master Gunner School Fort Knox, KY in May of 1997.  On July 1, 1997, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon completion of Tank Master Gunner School, Staff Sergeant Castillo returned to Company D, 1st Tank Battalion as the Company Master Gunner and Platoon Sergeant.

In October 1999, Staff Sergeant Castillo reported to Basic Recruiter School MCRD San Diego, CA. Upon completion of Recruiter School in December 1999, Staff Sergeant Castillo was assigned to Recruiting Station San Antonio, Texas, Recruiting Sub Station Mc Allen, as a canvassing recruiter in Weslaco, TX.

In March 2000, Staff Sergeant Castillo was re-assigned to Laredo, Texas as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Recruiting Sub Station Laredo.  He was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on April 1, 2000.

In November 2003, Gunnery Sergeant Castillo was assigned to 2d Tank Battalion, 2d Marine Division Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and assumed the duties as Platoon Sergeant, 1st Platoon Company C.

In September 2004, Gunnery Sergeant Castillo deployed with Company C, 1st Platoon, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this combat deployment, Gunnery Sergeant Castillo participated in “Operation Phantom Fury” executing hundreds of combat missions within Fallujah, Iraq, and the surrounding area of operations. On April 1, 2005, he was promoted to the Rank of Master Sergeant. For his actions during this deployment, Master Sergeant Castillo was awarded the “Navy Commendation Medal” with distinguishing device (V) for Valor in combat.

In May 2005, Master Sergeant Castillo ­­­was assigned as Tank Leader, Company C, 2nd Tank Battalion. He re-deployed in support of Iraqi Freedom 2006-07 to Fallujah, Iraq conducting combat operations and supporting various transitional campaigns. During this deployment Master Sergeant Castillo conducted Security patrols and supported the Tank Company’s mission requirements, for his actions during this combat deployment, he received the “Purple Heart Medal” for injuries he received while conducting combat operations. 

In May 2007, Master Sergeant Castillo was assigned as the S-4 Logistics Chief, 2d Tank Battalion. During this period Master Sergeant Castillo was recognized for his efforts in facilitating, logistical requirements for the training, deployment, and redeployment of combat troops.  

In October 2007, Mater Sergeant Castillo was assigned as the Operations Chief of 2d Tank Battalion. During this period Master Sergeant Castillo assumed the duties of a Master Gunnery Sergeant, responsible for the battalions Training & Exercise Employment Plan.    

In September 2008, Master Sergeant Castillo was assigned to Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Quantico, VA as the Operations Chief.

On February 1, 2011, he was promoted to his current rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant.

In April 2011, Master Gunnery Sergeant Castillo was assigned to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division as the Operations Chief. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this deployment, he was a member of a military Advisor Team to the First Brigade Afghan National Civil Order Police. During this tour, the advisor team trained and supported Operation Enduring Freedom over several regions within Afghanistan.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Castillo was awarded the “Meritorious Service Medal” for his actions as the Operations Chief and actions during his deployment to Afghanistan during this tour of duty.  

In January 2014, Master Gunnery Sergeant Castillo was assigned to the 4th Tank Battalion and assumed the duties as the Tank Battalion Operations Chief.

He conducted several military operations in Eastern Europe Finland, Latvia, and the country of Georgia.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Castillo was awarded the “Legion of Merit” for his leadership and military operational training and readiness contributions while assigned to the 4th Tank Battalion. 

Master Gunnery Sergeant Castillo retired from the Marine Corps on September 30, 2018, completing a successful 30-year career.

As of July 2020, Master Gunnery Sergeant Castillo was hired as a Naval Science Instructor for Stony Point High School.