Master Gunnery Sergeant Couturier joined the Marine Corps in June 1992 and attended Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego, CA. Upon meritorious promotion to Private First Class and graduating from Boot Camp he reported to Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Pendleton, CA for Infantry training. Following MCT, PFC Couturier attended the School of Infantry as an Anti-Tank Assaultman (0351).

In December 1992, PFC Couturier reported to 1st Battalion 3rd Marines, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and participated in a deployment to Okinawa. He served as a Dragon Gunner and was promoted to Lance Corporal in 1993. In November 1994 he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal.

In January 1995, Corporal Couturier reported to Marine Security Guard (MSG) Battalion, Quantico, VA. Graduating MSG School he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Sgt Couturier served three Embassy posts at Muscat, Oman, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Moscow, Russia. In 1998, Sgt Couturier was selected as the regional Marine Security Guard of the Year while serving in a SNCO billet as an Assistant Detachment Commander of Moscow, Russia and was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In November 1998, SSgt Couturier reported to the Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, CA. SSgt Couturier served as an Instructor Team Leader and achieved three unique qualifications of Summer Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader and Military Ski Instructor. SSgt Couturier was the Chief Instructor for certifying Military Ski Instructors. During this time, SSgt Couturier deployed to Norway in support of Operation BATTLE GRIFFIN.

In January 2001, SSgt Couturier was assigned to 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines, Camp Lejeune, NC and served as the Combined Arms Anti-Tank (CAAT) Commander for Weapons Company. During his tour he participated in three deployments; one UDP deployment to Okinawa, Japan, the second a 10 month MEU deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and SHINING EXPRESS, and a third deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as First Sergeant of Mike Company for the Anti-Terrorism Force Protection (ATFP) Battalion. In April 2004, SSgt Couturier was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and served as the Weapons Company Operations Chief.

In August 2004, GySgt Couturier was assigned to the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) Program, Woodbridge, VA. GySgt Couturier was the first Infantry Representative assigned to the Experimental Program and was responsible for the Infantry capabilities testing, capacity loading, ship embarking/launching and long-range evaluation associated with Milestone C testing. Following successful trials, Congress halted all funding associated for further testing at which time GySgt Couturier volunteered for deployment back to Iraq. He was assigned to Ar Ramadi, Iraq as a Mobile Training Team Leader charged with training and leading an assigned Iraqi Brigade and also served as a liaison to an Iraqi General while wearing the rank of “Captain”. During this time, he participated in the second battle of Fallujah.

In June 2006, GySgt Couturier reported to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), Hickam Air Force Base, HI. GySgt Couturier served as the Senior Enlisted Marine and Joint Operations Chief. In August 2006, he was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant at which time he was selected to be a Mission Recovery Leader, a billet that is normally reserved for Captains. MSgt Couturier led numerous joint member teams on humanitarian recovery missions to recover the remains of America’s Fallen Heroes due to past conflicts ranging from World War II, Korean and Vietnam Wars. His missions included archeological digs in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Germany and France. During his tour his efforts led to the recovery of two previously Missing in Action from WWII and Vietnam Wars that were identified and returned to their families.

In April 2009, MSgt Couturier reported to Headquarters Company, 1st Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, CA and served as the Regimental Assistant Operations Chief. In August 2010, he participated in the unit’s 12 month long deployment in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Helmand Province as Regimental Combat Team 1 (RCT-1). In March 2011, MSgt Couturier was promoted to the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant and became RCT-1’s Operations Chief.

In April 2012, MGySgt Couturier reported to the Combat Skills Training School, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, CA and served as its Director. His duties consisted of leading and developing not only the instructor cadre but also non-infantry Marines in combat instruction in preparation for their upcoming deployment. During this tour he also served as a lead inspector for the 1st MLG Commanding General’s Inspection Program.

Upon retirement from the Marine Corps on 30 November 2014, MGySgt Couturier worked for a government contracting corporation that supported the training and equipping of USMC deployable units. 

In 2015, MGySgt Couturier started his MCJROTC career at Romeoville High School, Illinois. During this time Romeoville has achieved unprecedented accomplishments such as earning the Distinguished Naval Honor School designation five years in a row, placed in National level competitions in Color Guard, Drill, and Physical Fitness. Romeoville MCJROTC has also produced a Legion of Valor recipient, and numerous cadets that have gone onto enlist in the military and earn collegiate scholarships.

MGySgt Couturier’s personal awards include: the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with one Gold Star, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one Gold Star, and the Combat Action Ribbon with one Gold Star.

He is married to the former Misuk Yi and has one daughter, Grace.