Master Sergeant Steven Santiago-Ramos enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 2005 and attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC. After Recruit and Marine Combat Training, he reported to the Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, VA to complete the Basic Musician's Course.
Upon graduating the School of Music in April 2006, Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos reported to the Quantico Marine Corps Band, Quantico, VA for duty as a trumpet Instrumentalist. During his tour, he performed on trumpet in the Ceremonial Band, Concert Band, and Show Band.
In November of 2007, Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos volunteered to deploy with Task Force National Capital Region where he served as a Machine Gunner and HMMWV (Humvee) driver in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon completion of his deployment in May 2008, he returned to the Quantico Marine Corps Band where he continued to perform as a Trumpet Instrumentalist and as an Assistant Drum Major.
In June 2009, Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos reported to the Marine Air Ground Combat Center Band, Twentynine Palms, CA. During his tour at the Combat Center Band, he served as the Assistant Drum Major, Jazz Combo Leader, and Platoon Sergeant.
In January 2012, Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos returned to the Naval School of Music to attend the Intermediate Musician's Course where he honed his skills as a Drum Major, Conductor, and Musical Arranger. Upon successful completion of the course in August 2012, Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos reported for duty as a Trumpet Instrumentalist with the 1st Marine Division Band, Camp Pendleton, CA.
During his tour with the 1st Marine Division Band, Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos was selected to serve as the Enlisted Conductor and Small Ensemble Leader. In 2013, 2014, and 2015 Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos was selected to perform with the Marine Corps All-Star Jazz Band where he toured throughout the country with the ensemble.
In October of 2015, Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos reported to the Parris Island Marine Band, Parris Island, SC for duty as a Trumpet Instrumentalist. In February 2016, Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos was selected for the billet of Small Ensemble Leader. In April 2016, Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos returned to the Naval School of Music to attend the Sound Reinforcement Technician Course. Upon graduating, he returned to the Parris Island Marine Band where he served as the band's Sound Production Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge.
In November 2016, Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos reported to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, Cherry Point, NC to serve as the Small Ensemble Leader. In November 2019, Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos reported to the Marine Forces Reserve Band, New Orleans, LA where he continued to serve as a Small Ensemble Leader and then the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the band. During his time in New Orleans, he was selected to attend the Advanced Musician's Course at the Naval School of Music and subsequently selected to be a Musician Placement Director.
Upon his graduation from the Basic Recruiter's Course in April 2022, Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos was assigned as the 12th Marine Corps District Musician Placement Director where he was responsible for screening and qualifying applicants for the Marine Corps Music Program throughout the entire Pacific Coast of the United States.
In April 2024, Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos was promoted to his current rank. Shortly after his promotion, Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos completed 24 months as the 12th Marine Corps District Musician Placement Director in June 2024 and was assigned to his current position at the Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band to serve as the Enlisted Band Leader and Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge.
Master Sergeant Santiago-Ramos's military decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4th Award), Combat Action Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation (4th Award), Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.