Sergeant Major Herbert M. Nicolas Jr. was born in Brooklyn, New York. He attended Christ the King Regional High School and, upon graduation, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in July 2005. He attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, where he graduated as the platoon honor graduate and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class. Following graduation, Private First Class Nicolas reported to Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. He then attended the Field Radio Operator Course at the Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School, Twentynine Palms, California, where he was assigned the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 0621, Field Radio Operator.
In February 2006, Private First Class Nicolas reported to Company F, 2d Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment. During this tour, he served as a Radio Operator, Radio Supervisor, and Sergeant of the Guard. He deployed to Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, in support of the Unit Deployment Program with 12th Marine Regiment and to Fallujah, Iraq, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal during this assignment.
Upon completion of Basic Recruiting School in July 2009, Sergeant Nicolas was assigned to Recruiting Station New York, 1st Marine Corps District. He served as a Canvassing Recruiter at Recruiting Sub-Station Flatbush in Brooklyn, New York, and as the Military Entrance Processing Station Liaison at Fort Hamilton, New York.
In August 2012, Sergeant Nicolas reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 274 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. He served as the Local Element Manager, Platoon Sergeant, Color Sergeant, Radio Supervisor, and Radio Chief. While assigned to MWSS-274, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
In August 2015, Staff Sergeant Nicolas received orders to the Inspector-Instructor Staff, 6th Communication Battalion, in Brooklyn, New York, where he served as the Transmissions Chief. He was selected and promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in November 2017.
In August 2018, Gunnery Sergeant Nicolas executed orders to Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic, Marine Corps Forces Command, Marine Corps Forces Northern Command in Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the G-3/5 Command Operations Center. During this assignment, he deployed to Morocco in support of Exercise AFRICAN LION.
In January 2022, Gunnery Sergeant Nicolas was frocked to First Sergeant and reported to 8th Communication Battalion, II Marine Information Group. He served as the Company First Sergeant for both Company B and Service Company. In December 2024, he executed orders to 2d Marine Logistics Group, Combat Logistics Battalion 6 (CLB-6), where he served as the Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant. While with CLB-6, he participated in Mountain Training Exercise 2-25 and a deployment in support of Marine Rotational Force-Europe 26.1.
In December 2025, Sergeant Major Nicolas was assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, where he currently serves as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
Sergeant Major Nicolas’ professional military education includes the Career Course, Advanced Course, First Sergeant’s Course, E-8 Seminar, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I & II, the Senior Enlisted Blended Seminar Program, and the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Purdue Global University.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award.