NCO of the quarter awarded in Italy

Photo By Sgt. Alexander Mitchell | Cpl. Brandon Gaddis, a ground radio repair technician with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, fixes a circuit card at his work area at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, July 27, 2016. Gaddis earned NCO of the quarter for the Logistics Combat Element while deployed with SPMAGTF-CR-AF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexander Mitchell/released)  

NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, ITALY

07.29.2016

Story by Cpl. Alexander Mitchell 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

Earning the title of non-commissioned officer is a grand achievement in the United States Marine Corps. Becoming the NCO of the quarter while deployed with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa Logistics Combat Element, is an accomplishment few have earned.
Cpl. Brandon Gaddis, a ground radio repair technician with SPMAGTF-CR-AF LCE, earned that title for his spectacular leadership and steadfast devotion to get the job done.
“I’m honored and privileged to have had the opportunity to compete with my peers,” said Cpl. Brandon Gaddis. “I’m humbled that I was chosen to be the NCO of the quarter for SPMAGTF. We have a lot of great NCO’s in this battalion with a lot to offer, so to be chosen as the best representative for the fourth quarter means a lot to me.”
Gaddis knows what it takes to be a leader, and works to improve himself every day to be a better mentor for junior Marines.
“I’ve always been really big on the basics,” said Gaddis. “Customs and courtesies and overall respect will take you a long way. Once you have a good foundation the rest comes with time and experience. I expect a lot from my junior Marines but in return I hold myself to a higher standard because I know that they’re looking up to me for guidance.”
Serving with maintenance platoon, Gaddis’s role with the SPMAGTF is to fix radios and get communication gear back to working condition. His shop receives broken gear from various locations across Europe and Africa.
“I am a part of the communications intermediate maintenance section with support platoon,” said Gaddis. “My job here in Sigonella is to provide third echelon maintenance and support for the entirety of the SPMAGTF as well as other entities in the area. Our goal here is to fix any; and all communications gear that we get from Africa and Europe to eliminate the need to send the gear back to the states for repairs. So far the seven of us have saved the Marine Corps over three hundred and ninety five thousand dollars.”
Gaddis is proud to have earned NCO of the quarter, fueling his already high level of motivation.
“I’ve always wanted to be a Marine, I love my job and I thoroughly enjoy being a non-commissioned officer,” said Gaddis. “The Marine Corps has challenged me in many ways to constantly better myself and the camaraderie and brotherhood that you’ll find here is something you won’t find anywhere else. I am excited to see what my future holds in the Marine Corps and I remain motivated in my plan to head to the Drill Field as soon as possible.”

• Date Taken: 07.29.2016
• Date Posted: 07.29.2016 09:32
• Story ID: 205440
• Location: NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, IT