Master Gunnery Sergeant J. Michael Stanley reported to Communication Directorate in January 2025 and currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for Marine Corps Fleet Music.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Stanley enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1998 and completed Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina and Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejuene, North Carolina. He subsequently completed the Basic Music Course in 1999 at the Armed Forces School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Master Gunnery Sergeant Stanley served as an instrumentalist in the following Fleet Marine Bands: Marine Forces Pacific Band (1999-2003) and Parris Island Marine Band (2003-2005). As do all Fleet Marine musicians, Master Gunnery Sergeant Stanley served in a variety of music, collateral duty, and leadership roles, to include Platoon leadership.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Stanley graduated the Basic Recruiter Course in 2006 and was assigned as the Musician Technical Assistant for the 4th Marine Corps Recruiting District from 2006-2010. Later serving as the Head, Fleet Marine Music Procurement at Marine Corps Recruiting Command (2018-2020).
Master Gunnery Sergeant served as the Enlisted Conductor for the following Fleet Marine Bands: Quantico Marine Corps Band (2010-2011) and III Marine Expeditionary Force Band (2016-2018). In 2012, Master Gunnery Sergeant Stanley served as an Instructor at the Naval School of Music.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Stanley attended the Unit Leader Course (2005) and the Senior Musician Course (2011) at the Naval School of Music. Additionally, he attended the Naval War College’s Senior Enlisted Academy and the Naval Justice School’s Senior Legal Course.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Stanley is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Applied French Horn.