Originally from Elkader, Iowa, Sergeant Major Stephen J. Lutz Jr. enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 1995 and attended Recruit Training at MCRD San Diego, after formal training, he was assigned as an F/A-18 Airframe Mechanic.

Throughout his career Sergeant Major Lutz has been assigned numerous duties, to include, Collateral Duty Inspector, Quality Assurance Representative, Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Operations Chief, Airframes Division Chief, SACO, Squadron GySgt, Detachment Commander, Company First Sergeant, Battalion and Regimental Sergeant Major.

He was assigned to the following units: VMFA (AW)-332, Third Battalion, Mike Company and Kilo Company, MCRD Parris Island, VMFA-115, US Embassy Kuwait City, Kuwait, Combat Logistics Battalion-6, Site Support Las Vegas, Infantry Training Battalion West, VMFA-122, Marine and Family Programs, 10th Marines, and is currently assigned to Marine Corps University.

He has deployed to various locations including two Unit Deployment Programs to Iwakuni, Japan, aboard the USS Harry S. Truman and Al Asad Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and two deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with four gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars.