Master Gunnery Sergeant J. Michael Stanley currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor, Fleet Marine Corps Music where he develops, directs, and implements occupational field and program management matters of the Marine Corps fleet bands on behalf of the Director of Communication, Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine Corps.
Master Gunnery Sgt. Stanley holds a Bachelors in Music Education and Applied French Horn from Florida State University.
Master Gunnery Sgt. Stanley enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1998 and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina and Marine combat training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He completed the Basic Music Course in 1999 at the Armed Forces School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Master Gunnery Sgt. Stanley served as a French horn instrumentalist in the following Fleet Marines Bands: U.S. Marine Forces Pacific Band (1999-2003) and the Parris Island Marine Band (2003-2006). Master Gunnery Sgt. Stanley served as an enlisted conductor in the following Fleet Marine Bands: Quantico Marine Corps Band (2010-2012) and III Marine Expeditionary Force Band (2016-2018). As do all Fleet Marine musicians, Master Gunnery Sgt. served in a variety of music, collateral duty, and leadership roles, to include Platoon leadership.
Master Gunnery Sgt. Stanley served as an instructor at the Naval School of Music (2012-2016). From 2006-2010 he served as the Musician Technical Assistant at 4th Marine Corps Recruiting District and as Music Procurement Chief at Marine Corps Recruiting Command (2018-2021).
Master Gunnery Sgt. Stanley was promoted to his current rank in 2022 and served as the Enlisted Bandleader of the following Fleet Marine Bands: III Marine Expeditionary Force Band (2020-2024).
Master Gunnery Sgt. Stanley attended the Unit Leader Course (2005), Senior Musician Course (2011) and is a graduate of the Naval War College’s Senior Enlisted Academy (2020). His awards include: Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd Award), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5th Award).