Master Gunnery Sergeant Christopher L. May, born January 16, 1974, in Abilene, Texas, served with distinction in the U.S. Marine Corps for 24 years, retiring in 2017 after a career spanning infantry, reconnaissance, and special operations. Enlisting in 1993, May began at Parris Island, earning the 0311 MOS at Camp Lejeune’s School of Infantry. Meritoriously promoted to Private First Class, he served as a body bearer at Marine Barracks 8th & I until 1995.
Assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, he completed WestPac and RIMPAC deployments before transitioning to the reserves in 1997 with Golf Company, 2/23. Returning to active duty in 1999, he served as a platoon guide with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines and completed his second WestPac, later joining 1st Reconnaissance Battalion in 2001, where he deployed as a team leader and platoon commander in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
May’s six OIF deployments included roles with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, and 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, where he served as current operations chief for Special Operations Task Force 81 and NCOIC for CJSOTF-A.
From 2013 to 2017, he held key roles at HQMC as Reconnaissance Occupational Field Sponsor and USMC Combatant Diving Advocate, SNCOIC of Reconnaissance Training Company, and Battalion Operations Chief for 1st Reconnaissance Battalion.
Post-retirement, he served as I MEF Liaison for the Center for Advanced Operational Culture Learning until 2019.Transitioning to the private sector, May was Under Armour’s Military & Tactical Sales Manager for the Central Region from 2019 to 2023, growing sales from $1 million to over $4 million and managing 150+ tactical accounts. As a contractor for FOGBOW he led maritime security for humanitarian missions in Gaza, facilitating millions of meals for Palestinians In 2024.
Since January 2025, he serves as the Director for The INVICTA Project, advocating for veterans and first responders with traumatic brain injury through innovative healthcare solutions. He also owns Brother Recon LLC and serves as a board member for the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation.
Residing in Keller, Texas, with his wife, Kathy, and their four children, May remains dedicated to service, leadership, and supporting his fellow veterans.
