SgtMaj Gerald A. Saunders Jr.
Sergeant Major Gerald A. Saunders, Jr. enlisted on 5 August 1986 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. After completing Field Wireman Training School at Camp Pendleton, California, Private Saunders was assigned to Counter Battery Radar, 11th Marines, Camp Pendleton, California and soon transferred to Headquarters 2nd Battalion 11th Marines as the Assistant Wire Chief.
In March 1990, after completing Aircraft Maintenance Administrators course Corporal Saunders was assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Tustin, California and deployed to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Upon his return, he was reassigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164 and then on to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 where he participated in various deployments including relief operations in Somalia.
In August 1995, Sergeant Saunders was transferred to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii where he worked in Production Control as the Logs and Records Chief. In October 1997, Staff Sergeant Saunders was ordered to Drill Instructor duty at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, where he served with Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, as a drill instructor, senior drill instructor and went on to become the 1st Battalion drill master.
In June 2001, Staff Sergeant Saunders transferred to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, where he served as the Aviation Maintenance Administration Division Chief. During this assignment, he participated in the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan and then was forward deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In May 2005, Gunnery Sergeant Saunders transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 46 where he served as the active duty liaison to MALS-41/42, Detachment A.
In May 2006, First Sergeant Saunders was transferred to New Haven, Connecticut, where he served as the Instructor and Inspector and Company First Sergeant of 1st Truck Platoon, 6th Motor Transport Battalion. He was then transferred to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion aboard Camp Pendleton, California, and served as the First Sergeant of Headquarters and Service Company.
On 5 December 2009, Sergeant Major Saunders transferred to First Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment. While there he deployed to Afghanistan as the Battalion Sergeant Major from May 2010 to Dec. 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Major Saunders served as the Sergeant Major of Recruiting Station Albany, NY, from October 2011 through January 2014. This July, Sergeant Major Saunders was relived as the Sergeant Major of Headquarters and Service Battalion (the Beast), Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA.
Sergeant Major Saunders’ personal awards include: Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal (gold star in lieu of 2nd award); Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (gold star in lieu of 2nd award); Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 gold stars in lieu of fourth award); and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with 1 silver star and 3 bronze stars.