First Sergeant Eduardo Benavides, a native of Alexandria, Virginia, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in June 2007. He completed recruit training with Company L, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon graduation, he attended the School of Infantry, Infantry Training Battalion, at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, where he became an Infantry Rifleman.
Private Benavides was assigned to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In December 2007, he was promoted to Private First Class and served in various roles, including Squad Automatic Weapon Gunner, Team Leader, and Squad Leader. Promoted to Lance Corporal in August 2008, he deployed later that year with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following his return, he completed the Infantry Squad Leaders Course. In June 2010, he was meritoriously promoted to Corporal and deployed to Marjah, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In April 2011, Corporal Benavides received orders to Combat Instructor Battalion at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, where he served as a Squad Leader and Combat Instructor. In this role, he trained and evaluated student lieutenants and warrant officers. He was promoted to Sergeant in June 2013 and later attended Basic Recruiting School in October 2014 to become a Marine Recruiter.
In January 2015, Sergeant Benavides was assigned to the 4th Marine Corps District, Recruiting Station Frederick, Maryland, where he served as a Production Recruiter and Assistant Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Recruiting Sub-Station Alexandria. In July 2016, he was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant.
In March 2018, Staff Sergeant Benavides reported to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, in Twentynine Palms, California, and served as the Weapons Platoon Sergeant for Alpha Company. In March 2019, he deployed to Iraq as part of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
In August 2020, Staff Sergeant Benavides joined the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG) in Quantico, Virginia. After completing Marine Security Guard School, he served as Detachment Commander at the United States Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in January 2021. In April 2022, Gunnery Sergeant Benavides returned to the Marine Security Guard Training Center as an Instructor Advisor. In February 2023, Gunnery Sergeant Benavides assumed the duties as the Chief Instructor at the Marine Security Guard School. In September 2024, he was assigned as the Operations Chief at the Training Center.
In February 2025, he was promoted to his current grade and assigned as the MCESG Region 2, Senior Enlisted Leader.
First Sergeant Benavides' personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd award), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with "V" device, and the Combat Action Ribbon.