Sergeant Major Ortega enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2000 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Upon graduation, he reported to Marine Combat Training in Camp Pendleton, California. Upon completion, Private First Class Ortega reported to Supply School,  Camp Johnson, North Carolina, where he received the MOS of Supply Administration and Operations Specialist.   
 
In March 2001, Private First Class Ortega was assigned to 1st Supply Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California; there he served as the Mechanized Allowance Clerk. During this tour he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. 
 
In January 2002, Lance Corporal Ortega was assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Marine Service Support Group 13, where he served as the property Noncommissioned Officer in Charge. He later deployed to Iraq; in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this deployment, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal.
 
In September 2004, Corporal Ortega was reassigned within the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and was assigned to the Tactical Security Element. He later deployed to Al Anbar Province, Iraq; in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in November of 2004.
 
In February 2006, Sergeant Ortega received orders to Edson Range in Camp Pendleton, California where he served as the Supply Chief. 
 
In August 2008, Sergeant Ortega received orders to 4th Marine Division, Company A where he served as the Supply Chief and Company Gunnery Sergeant. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in September 2008.  
 
In April 2011, Staff Sergeant Ortega attended Drill Instructor School at Marine Recruit Depot San Diego, California. Upon completion, he was assigned to Company A, First Recruit Training Battalion. In November of 2012, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. In July 2013, Gunnery Sergeant Ortega was reassigned to Support Battalion, where he served as the Headquarters Company First Sergeant.  
 
In September 2014, Gunnery Sergeant Ortega was transferred to 12th Marine Corps District, Recruiting Station Orange where he served as the Supply Chief and Deputy Family Readiness Officer. In July 2017, he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant.
 
In August 2017, First Sergeant Ortega was assigned to Company C, 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. He later deployed in support of Forward Deployed Forces 19.1 to Okinawa, Japan.
 
In February 2020, First Sergeant Ortega served as the Director of the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, MCAGCC 29 Palms, California. In September of 2021, he was promoted to his current rank and serves  as the Sergeant Major for Marine Corps Recruiting Station San Diego, California.
 
Sergeant Major Ortega's personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of third award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Combat Action Ribbon, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.