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 in July of 1996. Upon completion Recruit Training and Marine Combat Training, Private Lutz reported to Aviation Mechanic School in Pensacola, FL and F/A-18 Structural Mechanic Course in Cecil Field, FL. After graduation, PFC Lutz received orders to Marine Fighter Attack All-Weather Squadron 332 at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina. While assigned there, PFC Lutz was promoted through the ranks to Sergeant.

During his time with VMFA (AW)-332, Sergeant Lutz was assigned numerous billets and deployed multiple times to include a UDP to Iwakuni, Japan and Tasar, Hungary in support of Operation Noble Anvil. In April 2001, Sergeant Lutz received orders to Drill Instructor School, MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina.

Upon completion of Drill Instructor School, Sergeant Lutz was assigned to 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, where he served as Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor with Mike Company and Senior Drill Instructor and Company Operations Chief for Kilo Company. Additionally; he served as Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Platoon Sergeant while assigned to Special Training Company. In February 2002, Sergeant Lutz was selected to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In June 2004, Staff Sergeant Lutz received orders to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115, MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina. In October of the same year, Staff Sergeant Lutz deployed aboard the USS Harry S. Truman in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In July 2006 he was deployed to Iwakuni, Japan where he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. He also deployed to Al Asad, Iraq in February 2008, again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While assigned to VMFA-115, Gunnery Sergeant Lutz served as Airframes Shop SNCOIC, Quality Assurance Representative, Airframes Division Chief, SACO, and Squadron Gunnery Sergeant.

In December 2008, Gunnery Sergeant Lutz reported to Marine Security Guard School and upon graduating, was assigned as the Detachment Commander at American Embassy Kuwait City, Kuwait.

In June 2010, Gunnery Sergeant Lutz was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 6 where he served as the Transportation Support Company, First Sergeant. In July 2011, First Sergeant Lutz deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He returned to Helmand Province in July 2013 for a second deployment also in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon return from the deployment, First Sergeant Lutz was transferred to Maintenance Services Company.

In July 2014, First Sergeant Lutz executed orders to serve as the Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he was promoted to his current rank. Shortly after, Sergeant Major Lutz assumed the duties at the Infantry Training Battalion-West Sergeant Major. In October of 2017, Sergeant Major Lutz was assigned as the Squadron Sergeant Major for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 at MCAS Yuma, Arizona, tasked with transitioning the unit from an F/A-18 Hornet Squadron to an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Squadron.

In January 2020, Sergeant Major Lutz assumed the role as the Marine and Family Programs Division Sergeant Major at Quantico, Virginia. After this assignment, Sergeant Major Lutz transferred to 10th Marines to assume the duties as the Regimental Command Senior Enlisted Leader. In July 2023, Sergeant Major Lutz assumed his current billet as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Education Command.

Sergeant Major Lutz's personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal w/3 gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/3 gold stars.