Sergeant Major Heitink was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1977.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 1997 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA.  Upon completion of recruit training and Marine Combat Training (MCT), he was assigned to the Marine Corps Communication Electronics School (MCCES) at 29 Palms, CA where he earned the MOS of 0612 Field Wireman.  He was then assigned to Shepherd Air Force Base, TX where he earned the MOS of 0613 Construction Wireman.

In February of 1998, Lance Corporal Heitink received orders to Marine Barracks/Ground Defense Security Force Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for duty as a Construction Wireman.  During this tour, Lance Corporal Heitink provided communication support to the Naval Station and the 17 miles of fence line separating the U.S. Naval Base and communist Cuba.

In January 2001, Corporal Heitink was transferred to Marine Wing Communication Squadron 38 (MWCS-38) aboard MCAS Miramar, CA.  After promotion to sergeant in 2002, Sergeant Heitink completed one deployment to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Iraq Freedom.  He was selected for Staff Sergeant during the deployment.

In February of 2004, Sergeant Heitink executed orders to Headquarters Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division in Kaneohe Bay, Hi.  He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in July of 2004.  During his tour in Hawaii, Staff Sergeant Heitink deployed to Mongolia in support of a Leadership Training cadre embedded with the Mongolian Army in Erdenet, Mongolia.  Staff Sergeant Heitink also support the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) as a communication’s chief in Hanoi, Vietnam.

In May 2007, Staff Sergeant Heitink reported to recruiter’s school in San Diego, Ca and further for duty as a canvassing recruiter to Recruiting Station Harrisburg, PA in August 2007.   He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in April 2008.  During his tour, Gunnery Sergeant Heitink was assigned as the SNCOIC of Recruiting Sub-Station Carlisle, PA where he completed 28 months as the SNCOIC.  He was awarded the RS Harrisburg, SNCOIC of the Year award in 2009.

In August 2010, Gunnery Sergeant Heitink was transferred to Communication Company, 1st Marine Division.  He completed two deployments to Helmand Province Afghanistan.  In December 2012, he was transferred to 9th Communication Battalion for duty as the Wire Chief.

In July 2013, Gunnery Sergeant Heitink received orders to 6th Marine Regiment for duty as the Wire Chief.  He was selected and frocked to First Sergeant in January 2014.

First Sergeant Heitink was then transferred to H&S Bn, Marine Corps Installations East as a Company First Sergeant for Alpha and Bravo Companies.  In August 2016, First Sergeant Heitink transferred to 2nd Intelligence Battalion for duty as the Company First Sergeant for Direct Support Company.  In December 2016, he reported to H&S Company II Marine Headquarters Group also for duty as the Company First Sergeant.

Sergeant Major Heitink was frocked to his current rank in February 2018 and reported for duty as the Recruiting Station Milwaukee Sergeant Major in March 2018.  He served in this billet from March 2018 to June 2021.  In June 2021, Sergeant Major Heitink reported to Marine Corps Air Station New River and is currently serving as the Sergeant Major for Marine Wing Support Squadron 272.
 
Sergeant Major Heitink’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with 4 gold stars, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 3 gold stars.