Lieutenant Manuel "Manny" Sanchez is a native of Beeville, Texas. He enlisted in the Navy in May 1990 and reported for training at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Orlando, Florida. In November 1990, he completed Aviation Maintenance Administration "A" School at Naval Air Station Meridian, Mississippi. Manny then reported to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures 12 (HM-12) at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia where he served as the night shift Maintenance Control Supervisor.

After his tour with HM-12, Manny received orders to Fighter Squadron 74 (VF-74) at NAS Oceana, Virginia embarked aboard USS Saratoga (CV 60). He worked in Maintenance Control and Quality Assurance in support of numerous exercises and the final detachment to NAS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. After decommissioning VF-74 in April 1994, Manny then reported to the USS Wasp (LHD 1). While there, he served as the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) Production Control Supervisor. He completed a Mediterranean Sea deployment and numerous amphibious exercises to include Haiti’s Operation Restore Democracy.

In June 1997, Manny reported to Navy Recruiting District Houston, Texas, where he was assigned as the Assistant Chief Administrator and Enlisted Programs Leading Petty Officer. He earned recognition as the 1998 "Support Person of the Year" and "Sailor of the Year" in 1999.

Manny reported to the Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) with Sea Control Squadron 21 (VS-21) at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan in June 2000. After initially serving as the Logs and Records Leading Petty Officer, he took on the duties as a Maintenance Control Chief Petty Officer. He completed numerous deployments and exercises aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). In 2001, he received the Sea Control 21 Inspirational Leadership Award and was promoted to Chief Petty Officer.

In January 2003, Manny was commissioned under the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) Program. After completing the Limited Duty Officer/Chief Warrant Officer Indoctrination and the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program Manager Course, Manny reported for duty to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (VX-30) at Point Mugu, California. He served as the Maintenance and Material Control Officer (MMCO) overseeing the research, test and development of F-14 weapons and related systems. He participated in high priority special projects to include Tomahawk testing in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

Manny then returned to FDNF with Strike Fighter Squadron 27 (VFA-27). After initially serving as the Material Control Officer (MCO), he served as the Assistant Maintenance Officer (AMO) and Maintenance and Material Control Officer (MMCO). During his tenure, the "Royal Maces" received back-to-back recognition from Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific for the 2005 and 2006 Battle "E," the Chief of Naval Operations Safety "S," Association of Naval Aviation McClusky Award for attack excellence and the Golden Anchor for retention excellence. In 2006, Manny led his maintenance department to the honors of the best F/A-18 maintenance department in the Pacific by earning the Commander Strike Fighter Wing Pacific (CSFWP) Lt.j.g. Bruce Carrier Memorial Award.

Manny joined the Blue Angels in September 2007. His decorations include four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various personal and unit awards.