First Sergeant Justin M. Nail was born in Hillsboro, Illinois in July of 1989. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 2007, and attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Upon graduation, Private First Class Nail attended Marine Combat Training School at Camp Pendleton in San Diego California where he graduated as the honor graduate and received the MOS of Helicopter Tilt Rotor Dynamic Components Mechanic (6132). Following Marine Combat Training he attended his MOS school in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
Private First Class Nail was assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 aboard MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California from July 2008 to June 2016 and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant and Staff Sergeant during this time. During this time he deployed with HMH-163 on the 13th MEU in 2008, with HMH-163 for a second time on the 13th MEU in 2010, and with VMM-165 at Special Marine Air Ground Task Force Kuwait in 2015. He held the billets of collateral duty inspector qualification for work center 440, Work Center Supervisor, Quality Assurance Representative, Production Control Chief, and Maintenance Chief.
Staff Sergeant Nail attended Drill Instructor School at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina in October of 2016. Upon graduating in December of 2016 he was assigned to 2nd Battalion Golf Company where he completed eight training cycles and was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on 1 September 2019. During his tour, Gunnery Sergeant Nail served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Chief Drill Instructor and Uniformed Readiness Coordinator.
Gunnery Sergeant Nail executed orders to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29 aboard MCAS New River, Jacksonville, North Carolina in December of 2019 and was assigned to the Power Plants Division to serve as the 440 Work Center Supervisor, Power Plants Division Chief, Production Control Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, and the Quality Assurance Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge. Gunnery Sergeant Nail deployed with VMM-162 on the 26th MEU as the Squadron Gunnery Sergeant and the MALS Detachment Staff Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge from July 2023 to April 2024 where he was selected to the rank of First Sergeant.
First Sergeant Nail is currently assigned to Marine Corps Logistics Command aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Georgia where he serves and the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Head Quarters Group.
First Sergeant Nail's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as numerous unit and service awards.