SgtMaj Gerhardt is a Jacksonville, FL native. After graduating High School, SgtMaj Gerhardt enlisted in 1994 with the United States
Marine Corps and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. , Marine Combat Training and Infantry
Training Battalion at Camp Geiger, NC.
January 1995, SgtMaj Gerhardt was assigned to Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Washington for duty as a security guard.
March 1997, SgtMaj Gerhardt transferred to 3d Battalion 6th Marines where he was promoted to the ranks of Corporal and Sergeant.
During this time, SgtMaj Gerhardt deployed to the Mediterranean with the 24 MEU and supported Operation Southern Watch serving
as Infantry Fire Team Leader and Squad leader.
SgtMaj Gerhardt transferred to 3d Battalion 8th Marines in December 1998. There he served as infantry squad leader while deployed
on the 26 MEU in support of Operations Shining Hope, Allied Force, and Joint Guardian in the Adriatic Sea in support of combat
operations in Kosovo.
SgtMaj Gerhardt was transferred Dec 1999 and assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia
serving as the base education assistant and Marine Battle Skills Training Instructor.
May 2002 SgtMaj Gerhardt reported to Recruiter School and subsequently served as a Canvassing Recruiter and SNCOIC at Recruiting
Station NY, RSS Hicksville and RSS Smithtown, NY. During this tour, SgtMaj Gerhardt was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
July 2005, SgtMaj Gerhardt was transferred to 3d Battalion 1st Marines for duty where he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery
Sergeant and served as Mobile Assault Platoon Sergeant, Combined Anti-Armor Platoon Sergeant, and Operations Chief. During this
assignment SgtMaj Gerhardt deployed to Southwest Asia Iraq during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 5.7 and the 13th MEU in
support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 6.8.
April 2008 SgtMaj Gerhardt transferred to School of Infantry - West, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion (AITB) for duty as the
Assistant Operations Chief. During this assignment, SgtMaj Gerhardt reported to Marine Combat Instructor Course as a student. Upon
graduating, SgtMaj Gerhardt reported back to AITB where he served in the billets of Assistant Operations Chief and Company Gunnery
Sergeant of Infantry Unit Leader Training Company. During this tour he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant.
May 2010 SgtMaj Gerhardt reported for duty with 8th Communication Battalion where he served as Company B and General Support
Company First Sergeant deploying to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM 11.2 from July 2011-January
2012. September 2013 SgtMaj Gerhardt was transferred to 3d Battalion 6th Marines where he served as Weapons Company and
Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant deploying with the 24 MEU. SgtMaj Gerhardt was promoted to his current rank.
January 2016 SgtMaj Gerhardt served as Squadron SgtMaj for Marine Wing Support Squadron-271. During this assignment, he
conducted deployment for training exercise in Yuma, Arizona in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI). SgtMaj
Gerhardt was reassigned to 1st Battalion 25th Marines in January 2018 serving as the Inspector-Instructor Sergeant Major where he
supported and oversaw the activation of the reserve battalion to conduct a unit deployment program to the Indo-Pacom region.
Slated in October 2019 SgtMaj Gerhardt reported in January 2020 as the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit SgtMaj. He was subsequently
reassigned as a Recovering Service Member with Wounded Warrior Battalion-East. April 2021 SgtMaj Gerhardt reported for duty as
the New River Air Station SgtMaj where he currently serves.
Personal Decorations: Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold
stars in lieu of fourth award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, Combat Action
ribbon with gold star. SgtMaj Gerhardt also holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix.