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LtCol Castro enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1983 and was assigned to Alpha Co, 4th Combat Engineer Bn. He graduated from Concord University, West Virginia in 1988, with a BS in Marketing and subsequently earned a MBA from the George Washington University, in Washington DC in 1992. He attended Officer Candidate School and commissioned through the Direct Commissioning Program in 1994.
Upon the completion of the Basic School and Supply School in 1995, 1st Lt Castro was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines as the Battalion Supply Officer. The battalion deployed as the Battalion Landing Team for the 15th MEU in 1998 and participated in Operation Southern Watch and responded to the embassy attacks in Africa. During the deployment he was assigned the collateral duties of MEU Force Protection Officer and served as a Forward Observer for Weapons Company.
In 1999, Captain Castro was assigned to 1st Marine Recruiting District, Garden City, New York as the Contracting Officer overseeing the Northeastern Region’s Simplified Acquisition Contracts for the Recruiting District and HQMC. His additional duties included Quality Assurance Officer for enlisted recruiting and management of the Tun Tavern Restaurant and Bar.
In 2002, he was assigned to II MEF Headquarters Group, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as the Group Supply Officer. In 2003, Captain Castro deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, TF Tarawa, as the supply officer and Camp Commandant. In 2005, he returned to Iraq with II MEF Headquarters Group as the Alpha Company Executive Officer. He assumed the duties and responsibilities as the Mayor of Camp Fallujah. His duties consisted of providing engineer support to the Forward Operating Bases within the city, establishing reconstruction contracts with the Fallujah City Council and local tribal leaders and the daily operations of three infantry camps.
In 2005, Major Castro was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as part of the Joint Advanced Warfighting Program – Analytical Program Office at the Institute for Defense Analysis, in Alexandria, Virginia. As the Ground Operations Officer, he worked on operational and strategic projects for the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), Fallujah Operations and Battle Assessment project, Foreign Military Training programs (Iraq and Afghanistan), the Threat Financing Program and as an advisor to the MNF-I Strategic Effects the Office of National Reconciliation for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration program.
Major Castro attended the School of Advanced Warfighting in 2008 and completed a Master’s Degree in Operational Studies. Upon graduation in 2009, he was assigned to III MEF Future Operations as a MAGTF Planner. He was the lead planner for Theater Support Cooperation exercises Cobra Gold, Balikatan, Terminal Fury, and PhiblEx. He was the lead planner for humanitarian relief operations in the Philippines in 2009 and most recently in Japan for Operations Tomodachi and Pacific Passage.
His personal awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (3rd award).
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In March 1992, Sergeant Major Reed enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in Nov 1992.
Following recruit training; he attended the Aviations Machinist Course in Millington, Tennessee. After follow on training at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Tustin, Lance Corporal Reed was assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-16, III Marine Air Wing, MCAS Tustin, California, in May 1993. During this tour, Lance Corporal Reed was assigned as a T58-GE-16 turboshaft engine mechanic supporting various exercises and squadron deployments. In May 1995, Corporal Reed was transferred to HMM-164 and deployed as part of the 11th MEU.
Ordered back to MALS-16 in Jan 1996, Corporal Reed was assigned as a Test Cell Operator where he earned the additional MOS of 6135. In May 1997, he was assigned as the Test Cell NCOIC and became an Instructor/ Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative. In the summer of 1998, Sergeant Reed was assigned as a squadron BRAC representative and assisted in orchestrating the Test Cell Facility BRAC move from MCAS Tustin to MCAS Miramar. In October 2000, Staff Sergeant Reed requested and received orders to Drill Instructor School at MCRD San Diego. After completion of School, he was assigned to Company A, 1st Recruit Training Battalion where he served as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor. Gunnery Sergeant Reed finished his tour as a Chief Drill Instructor and Company First Sergeant for the Instructional Training Company.
In February 2004, Gunnery Sergeant Reed was once again ordered back to MALS-16 where he was assigned as the Power Plants Division Chief and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. After returning from deployment, Gunnery Sergeant Reed was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant in April 2005 and received orders to 1st Marine Division where he was assigned to 3d Battalion, 5th Marines.
In April 2005, First Sergeant Reed assumed the duties as the Company First Sergeant for Lima Company, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines where he deployed with the Battalion for OIF 05-07.1 from Jan 2006 – Aug 2006. In Sept 2007, First Sergeant Reed assumed the duties as the Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant and deployed back to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.1. In July 2008, First Sergeant Reed was transferred to MCRD, San Diego and assumed the duties as the Company First Sergeant for Company D, First Battalion and Receiving Company, Support Battalion. In May of 2009, First Sergeant Reed was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major and reported to 3d Supply Battalion, CLR-35, 3d MLG, Okinawa Japan.
Sergeant Major Reed’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device with (2) gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with (1) gold star, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Sergeant Major Reed and his wife have one son.
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