Sergeant Major Heitink was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1977. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 1997 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. Upon completion of recruit training and Marine Combat Training (MCT), he was assigned to the Marine Corps Communication Electronics School (MCCES) at 29 Palms, CA where he earned the MOS of 0612 Field Wireman, then Shepherd Air Force Base, TX earning the MOS of 0613 Construction Wireman.
In February of 1998, Sergeant Major Heitink served at Marine Barracks/Ground Defense Security Force Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as a Construction Wireman. During this tour, he provided communication support to the Naval Station and the 17 miles of fence line separating the U.S. Naval Base and communist Cuba.
In January 2001, Sergeant Major Heitink was transferred to Marine Wing Communication Squadron 38 (MWCS-38) aboard MCAS Miramar, CA. After promotion to sergeant in 2002, Sergeant Major Heitink completed one deployment to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Iraq Freedom. He was selected for Staff Sergeant during the deployment.
In February of 2004, Sergeant Major Heitink executed orders to Headquarters Company, 3d Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division in Kaneohe Bay, HI. He was promoted to staff sergeant in July of 2004. During his tour in Hawaii, he deployed to Mongolia in support of a Leadership Training cadre embedded with the Mongolian Army in Erdenet, Mongolia. Sergeant Major Heitink also deployed with the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) as a communication’s chief in Hanoi, Vietnam.
In May 2007, Sergeant Major Heitink reported to recruiter’s school in San Diego, Ca and further for duty as a canvassing recruiter to Recruiting Station Harrisburg, PA in August 2007. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in April 2008. During this tour, he was assigned as the SNCOIC of Recruiting Sub-Station Carlisle, PA where he completed 28 months as the SNCOIC. He was awarded the RS Harrisburg, SNCOIC of the Year award in 2009.
In August 2010, Sergeant Major Heitink was transferred to Communication Company, 1st Marine Division. He completed two deployments to Helmand Province Afghanistan. In December 2012, he was transferred to 9th Communication Battalion for duty as the Wire Chief.
In July 2013, Sergeant Major Heitink received orders to 6th Marine Regiment for duty as the Wire Chief. He was selected and frocked to first sergeant in January 2014.
Sergeant Major Heitink was transferred to Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations-East as Company First Sergeant for Alpha and Bravo Companies. In August 2016, he transferred to 2d Intelligence Battalion for duty as the Company First Sergeant for Direct Support Company. In December 2016, he reported to H&S Company II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group as the Company First Sergeant. He attended the Senior Enlisted PME Course in 2017 earning honor graduate and the speech and writing award.
Sergeant Major Heitink was frocked to his current rank in February 2018 serving as the Recruiting Station Milwaukee Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) from March 2018 to June 2021. He served at Marine Corps Air Station New River as the CSEL for Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 June 2021 - May 2023 and the Installation CSEL for Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point from May 2023 - April 2025. He is currently serving as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations East - Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
Sergeant Major Heitink holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Southern New Hampshire University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa. Sergeant Major Heitink’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (second award), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (fifth award), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (fourth award).