VMM-365 Marine sergeant strives for excellence

Photo By Cpl. Jorden Wells | Born to humble beginnings in Tacoma Wash., Sgt. Reddley Mikkelsen has always strived for excellence and to put his best foot forward. Mikkelsen joined the Marine Corps in 2006 as a mobile multi-channel equipment operator and in 2010 changed his military occupational specialty to be an aircraft crew chief.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, UNITED STATES

04.08.2014

Story by Lance Cpl. Jorden Wells 

Marine Corps Installations East       

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - Born in 1979, aboard what was then Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Wash., Sgt. Reddley Mikkelsen, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 crew chief, has always strived for excellence both as a Marine and as a civilian.

The oldest of five boys, Mikkelsen was brought up in a humble military household and moved around a lot in his younger years.
Mikkelsen graduated from Denbigh High School, Newport News, Va., in 1997, where he did four years of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, as well as other extracurricular activities including playing the trumpet for his high school band.

Mikkelsen joined the Marine Corps in 2006 as a mobile multi-channel equipment operator, and in 2010 changed his military occupational specialty to aircraft crew chief.

“I did three years of Air Force and one year of Army JROTC when I was in high school, but when it came down to choosing a branch, I had to go with the best of the best,” said Mikkelsen.

Many things led Mikkelsen to choose the Marine Corps. He said he liked the brotherhood-like atmosphere shared amongst Marines and the challenge and pride that comes with being a self-proclaimed beast.

“One of my most notable achievements while in the Marine Corps was when I was deployed with a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force as a corporal,” said Mikkelsen. “While we were deployed, I was the radio chief, which is a staff sergeant billet. Not only was it a great experience to learn and grow, but I earned a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for the work I did as the radio chief.”

Mikkelsen is also very well known throughout his entire squadron as being one of the most quirky, yet insightful Marines, and he is always willing to share his wealth of knowledge with whoever is willing to lend an ear.

“Sgt. Mikkelsen is a hard-working Marine and an all-around good guy,” said Gunnery Sgt. Paul Salay, VMM-365 flight line division chief. “Not only is he great at performing his duties at work, but he is also very inquisitive and interesting to talk to.”

• Date Taken: 04.08.2014
• Date Posted: 04.08.2014 10:43
• Story ID: 124885
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, US