Gunnery Sgt. Fariss currently serves as the drum major of the Quantico Marine Band. In this capacity he directs, trains, and manages the musical performance of the ceremonial band while on the march and instructs band personnel in drill specific to Marine bands. Gunnery Sgt. Fariss also manages the band’s administration and operations sections.
Gunnery Sgt. Fariss holds associate degrees in Science, Art, and General Education from Craven Community College.
Gunnery Sgt. Fariss enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2004 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 2005 at the Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Gunnery Sgt. Fariss served as a saxophone instrumentalist in the following fleet Marine bands: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band (2005–2008; 2017-2019); and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band (2008–2013). As do all fleet Marine musicians, Gunnery Sgt. Fariss served in a variety of music, collateral duty, and leadership roles, to include platoon leadership.
Gunnery Sgt. Fariss deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010. In 2019, GySgt Fariss served as an instructor at the Naval School of Music. From 2013–2015, he served as a recruiter with Recruiting Station Montgomery.
Gunnery Sgt. Fariss was promoted to his current rank in 2024 and served as the drum major of the following fleet Marine band: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band (2017–2019).
Gunnery Sgt. Fariss attended the Unit Leader Course (2017), completed a three-month internship at NASA Langley Research Center (2021), and is a graduate of Career Course. His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4th award).