Gunnery Sergeant Richard D. Bitzer currently serves as the Company First Sergeant for Communication Company, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division.
Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended Little Miami High School and Warren County Career Center. He studied design and drafting his junior and senior year and graduated in 1999. Upon graduating, he starting working in the engineering field at Consolidated Ceramic Product Incorporated Inc. He was responsible for designing robotic tooling, steel flow nozzles, thermocouple elements, and insulating products for molten steel and aluminum.
In October 2004, Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and attended recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Paris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion of recruit training, Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Pendleton, California. After completing MCT, he attended Marine Corps Communications and Electronics School (MCCES) in 29 Palms, California in October 2005. While at MCCES, Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer learned and mastered the basic knowledge of operating and troubleshooting single channel radios. was promoted to Private First Class.
In May 2005, Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer checked into Communications Company Cincinnati, Ohio as a Radio Operator. In June of 2005, he attend Summer Mountain Warfare in Bridgeport, California. While there he learned how to employ communication equipment in mountainous terrain and how to deal with multiple elevation changes while maintaining effective communications. In 2006 he was one of the very first Marines at the unit to employ PRC-150 and got TAC Chat to actually work, for his dedicated work throughout the training exercise, he was awarded a Meritorious Mast. Then in 2007 he was meritoriously promoted to Corporal and given the duties of Squad Leader. He then went to Operation Talisman Saber in 2007 and was given the role of Radio Chief for 4th Light Armor Vehicle Company. He also assumed the duties of being the Company Commander Radio Operator.
In June 2009, Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer was activated and augmented to 1st Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, as a Radio Operator in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Where he was responsible for ensuring accountability and functionality of all computer based and radio actuated communications equipment. During his time with 3/24, Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer persevered to learn basic infantry skills while having to educate himself on communications equipment that he had no formal training or experience with previously. While in Iraq with 3/24, he was in charge of all the cryptographic gear and all frequency request and roll-overs for all networks. Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer received qualification with MNF-W Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare operating and troubleshooting the Hunter system and Chameleon systems installed on Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles in conjunction with completing numerous combat missions and completing gray and green belt Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
In March 2010, Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer was appointed the billet of Platoon Sergeant for Single Channel Radio Platoon as a Corporal with Communications Company Cincinnati, Ohio despite having a Sergeant in the platoon of 39 Marines. In May of 2010, he was promoted to Sergeant. During his time as Platoon Sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer educated himself with the Marine Corps Reserve Administrative Management Manual (MCRAMM) to understand the policy and procedural guidance for the management and administration of the Reserve Component with a Total Force Construct.
In July 2012, Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer attended Operation Western Accord in Thies, Africa were Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer was in charge of the 32 Marines that arrived on advance party. During his time there he was in charge of setting up 8 single channel networks, 4 multi-channel MRC-142, and 3 Satellite stations. He was the only Humvee licensed driver on advanced party, therefor he was responsible for delivering all the supplies to seven outpost, three ammo supply points, and transporting injured personnel. He also assisted the United States Army in setting up a local aide station for the local population. His construction knowledge aided them in building and setting up the facility, which allowed them to provided aide to over 4,000 local civilians.
In October 2013, He was promoted to Staff Sergeant and was assigned the billet of Transmission Chief AT Communications Company Cincinnati, Ohio. Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer sacrificed much of his free time to compile proficiency and conduct marks for the junior Marines within in the platoon. Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer attended Infantry Training Exercise 2013 in 29 Palms, California were he was in charge of the 22 Marines that arrived on advanced party. During his time there he was in charge of setting up 13 single channel networks, 3 multi-channel MRC-142, and 4 Satellite stations. He was in charge of all the cryptographic gear and all frequency request and roll-overs for all networks. He had operational control and ran 23 communication contact teams. Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer ensured that the retransmission station on OP Crampton stayed operational and had sufficient supplies. Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer attended Infantry Training Exercise 2014 in 29 Palms California were he was in charge of the 28 Marines that arrived on advanced party. During his time there he was in charge of setting up 16 single channel networks, 8 multi-channel MRC-142, and 6 Satellite stations. He was in charge of all the cryptographic gear and all frequency request and roll-overs for all networks. He had operational control and ran 14 communication contact teams. Gunnery Sergeant Bitzer ensured that the retransmission station on OP Crampton and OP Creole stayed operational and had sufficient supplies.