Sergeant Major Daniel R. Wilson graduated high school in 1997 and enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended boot camp at MCRD San Diego, CA, in November 1998 and graduated in February 1999.  He attended The School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, CA, where he was selected to serve as a Machine Gunner.

From April 1999 to October 2002, Sergeant Major Wilson was assigned to 1st Battalion 7th Marines in Twenty-nine Palms, CA. and assigned to the Machine Guns section of Alpha Company’s Weapons Platoon.  In January 2000 he deployed to Okinawa, Japan with 1st Battalion 7th Marines and promoted to the rank of Corporal and attended the Green Belt Martial Arts course.

In December 2001 Sergeant Major Wilson assumed responsibilities as Machine Guns Section Leader and in February 2002 deployed to Okinawa, Japan where he conducted Jungle Warfare Training, he deployed to Thailand conducting Operation Cobra Gold and then to South Korea and Russia, participating in Operation Cooperation from the Sea.

In October 2002 Sergeant Major Wilson was assigned to 8th Marine Corps District, RS Phoenix for duty as a canvassing Recruiter at RSS East Tucson, Sub-Station Sierra Vista.  During this time he enlisted 86 individuals into the Marine Corps and volunteered at Buena High School as a full-time wrestling coach. Upon successful completion of Recruiting Duty, Sergeant Major Wilson was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. 

In November 2005, Sergeant Major Wilson reported to 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Bravo Company 4th Platoon, and assumed the billet of Squad Leader seven weeks prior to deploying to Al Karmah, Iraq.  In June 2006, Sergeant Major Wilson took over 4th Platoon after the Platoon Sergeant was wounded by a sniper, and returned from deployment in July 2006.  Sergeant Major Wilson attended Infantry Unit Leaders Course in October 2006 and upon graduating, he returned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, assuming the duties as Platoon Sergeant for 4th platoon.  Sergeant Major Wilson redeployed to Iraq where his Platoon began conducting counterinsurgency operations in Al Saqalawiyah. 

In May 2008, Sergeant Major Wilson was again assigned to 8th Marine Corps District, RS Phoenix for duty as East Mesa Sub-Station SNCOIC.  Within his first year, Sergeant Major Wilson led his station as the Small Station of the Year for RS Phoenix and then moved to recruiting substation Tempe, a larger recruiting substation in April 2009 and won Large Station of the Year for RS Phoenix. 

In August of 2011, Sergeant Major Wilson reported to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Staff Non Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Police Advising Team in Nowzad.  Within the first month he assumed the duties of the Officer in charge of the Police Advising Team, conducting multiple partnered convoys and patrols with the Afghanistan Police.  In February 2012, Sergeant Major Wilson returned from deployment and assumed duties as Golf Company Gunnery Sergeant.

In May of 2013 Sergeant Major Wilson was assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion.  In June 2013, Sergeant Major Wilson attended Basic Airborne in Fort Benning, GA.  In October 2015, he reported to the 15th MEU, and assumed the duties of the Maritime Raid Force and Force Recon Detachment First Sergeant and deployed to the 5th Fleet AOR as part of the 15th MEU and returned from deployment in December 2015. 

In March of 2016, Sergeant Major Wilson reported to Inspector – Instructor Duty Wilmington Delaware, completing Funeral Honors within the local community, supervising the Toy’s for Tot’s program and filling the role of Site Commander and Battalion Inspector – Instructor Sergeant Major.

Sergeant Major Wilson was assigned to 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 7th Marines Regiment in March of 2018. In October of 2018 Sergeant Major Wilson deployed to the CENTCOM AOR in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.  Sergeant Major Wilson returned in May of 2019.  In March of 2020 Sergeant Major Wilson reported to Marine Corps Recruiters School as Sergeant Major for Marine Corps Recruiters School.

Sergeant Major Wilson was assigned to 12th Marine Corps District in February of 2022.

His personal decorations include the Gold Parachutist Wings, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4th Award), Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4th Award), Combat V Distinguishing and Combat Action Ribbon (2nd Award).