Marines


Biography

 

First Sergeant Toniesha N. Gaddis
Inspector-Instructor Unit Senior Enlisted Leader
COMPANY B, 4TH LIGHT ARMORED RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION

First Sergeant Toniesha N. Gaddis

First Sergeant Gaddis reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, South Carolina in January 2006, for recruit training. Upon graduation, Private First Class Gaddis was transferred to Naval Air Station Meridian, Mississippi for training as an Aviation Supply Specialist.

In July 2006, she was assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 39, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Camp Pendleton, California. During this time PFC Gaddis was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and was selected to deploy in April 2007 with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard the USS Bonhome Richard. During this time, she participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom from April 2007 to November 2007. While deployed, she was promoted to Corporal and assigned additional duties as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) liaison for Al Qaim and Al Taqaddum.

In February 2008, she reported for duty to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Iwakuni, Japan as the Supply Clerk and Administrative and Training Chief for the Aircraft Recovery Shop. During her tour, she was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant in August 2009 and assigned additional duties as the Material Control Chief and Training Chief. During her time in Japan, she deployed in support of Phiblex 2009 in support of humanitarian disaster relief operations for Tuguegarao, Philippines.

In March 2010, she reported to Drill Instructor (DI) School, MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon graduation she was assigned to Company "N" as a Drill Instructor. In June 2011, she reported to Recruit Processing Company, Support Battalion, where she was assigned as a Processing Drill Instructor at Receiving. Additionally, she was chosen as the Substance Abuse Coordinator in October 2011 as well as President of the Motorcycle Organization. First Sergeant Gaddis reportd back to Company "N", 4th Recruit Training Battalion in July 2012 where she assumed the billet of Senior Drill Instructor.

In October 2013, she reported to MALS 11, MCAS Miramar, San Diego, CA as the Supply Personnel and Management Division NCOIC. During this time, she attended Sergeants Course in June 2014 and Career Course in October 2014 and was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in November 2014. In January 2015, she was chosen as the Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC) of a Unit Deployment to Iwakuni, Japan where she assumed the duties as the Repairable Management Division and Supply Shipping Branch SNCOIC. Upon returning from Japan, she served as the Supply Response Division SNCOIC. 

In April 2017, she reported to MCRD San Diego to attend DI School's Priors Course. Upon completion, First Sergeant Gaddis was assigned to Support Battalion, Instructor Training Company, Academic Instructor Platoon where she served as the Academic Instructor and the testing SNCOIC. Additionally, she served as a Sergeant Instructor with Company "D," "I," and "L" during the summer of 2017 and the fall of 2018 at Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. First Sergeant Gaddis was then selected as an Instructor at Drill Instructor School where she later became the Academics Chief.

In April 2018, she reported for duty to MALS 16, MCAS Miramar, San Diego, CA as the Warehouse Chief for the Warehouse Management Division. During this time, she was selected as the MALS Detachment SNCOIC and Aviation Supply Chief to deploy with the 11th MEU in support of Western Pacific 19-2.

Upon returning 1stSgt Gaddis reported to Norfolk, VA, July 2016, as the Aviation Supply Chief at Marine Aircraft Group 49 Detachment Delta where she took charge of Intermediate Maintenance and Aviation Supply Marines in support of VM-774

In June 2022, First Sergeant Gaddis requested orders to Marine Barracks Washington where she served as the as the Alpha Company First Sergeant in charge of The Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps, the Silent Drill Platoon, and two Marching Platoons.

In April 2024, First Sergeant Gaddis reported to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion where she currently serves as the I-I First Sergeant for Company B, Fort Detrick, Maryland.

First Sergeant Gaddis awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (fourth award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Fourth Award), Drill Instructor Ribbon (Second Award), and Iraqi Campaign Medal (2nd Award).

First Sergeant Gaddis holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Industrial and Organizational Phycology as well as a Masters of Science Degree in Criminal Justice (Summa Cum Laude).