Lieutenant Colonel Mark C. Gerhard
Mark Gerhard graduated from Michigan State University in 1990 and subsequently applied for Officer Candidate School. Candidate Gerhard arrived at OCS in February 1991 and was commissioned in April 1991. He immediately transferred to Camp Barrett to begin The Basic School, class B-91, and completed coursework there in October 1991.
2nd Lt Gerhard was given the MOS of 7599 and put on the wait list to being Aviation Training at NAS Pensacola, FL. He was temporarily assigned as the S-3A to VMFA-142, Detachment A, at NAS Cecil Field, FL. After serving for 4 months on TAD, 2ndLt Gerhard reported to NAS Pensacola to being flight school. After graduating from Aviation Indoctrination, he was transferred to NAS Corpus Christi, TX to begin Primary Flight Training in the T-34C with VT-27.
2ndLt Gerhard completed Primary Flight Training and selected the rotary wing pipeline. After being promoted to 1stLt, Traveled back to Pensacola, and joined VT-2 for Intermediate Flight Training in the T-34C. He then went on to Advanced Flight Training in the HT-37B/C helicopter, receiving his wings in July 1993.
1stLt Gerhard was assigned the CH-53E platform, and reported to MCAS New River, NC to begin Fleet Replacement Squadron training on that airframe. During that period, a FMF-wide reduction in force took place, effectively ceasing all flight training for the CH-53E pipeline for nearly a year. 1stLt Gerhard was separated from Active Duty in 1995, and immediately joined the Selected Marine Corps Reserve.
Joining 1st Bn, 24th Marines as a Forward Air Controller, 1stLt Gerhard received training in various MOS related duties. During that period, he attended TACP training in Little Creek, VA and also the Reserve Infantry Officer Course in Quantico, VA.
1stLt Gerhard checked out of the SMCR in 1996 and went into IRR status for two years, and then rejoined the SMCR with MWSS-472, Detachment B, at Selfridge ANGB, MI in September 1998. Now a Captain, he was assigned the billet of Construction Section Leader. Captain Gerhard held that billet until receiving ADSW orders to MWSG-47 in 2000 to plan the reorganization of the Group, eliminating a squadron and consolidating sites to better manage each unit geographically.
After the reorganization, Captain Gerhard returned to the now re-designated MWSS-471, Detachment B, as the Det OIC. He was promoted to Major in October 2002, and was activated with the rest of the squadron ISO OEF in February 2003. MWSS-471 was deployed to MCAS New River, NC to replace MWSS-272 and MWSS-271, which were pushed forward to Iraq for the initial invasion. Major Gerhard, upon arriving at MCAS New River, was chosen to fleet up to MCAS Cherry Point, NC to serve as the S-3A at MWSG-27. He served there for the duration of the deployment.
Immediately upon returning to Selfridge in October 2003, Major Gerhard was asked if he would volunteer to lead MWSS-471’s first overseas combat deployment to Afghanistan, which he accepted. MWSS-471 FWD, a detachment of 31 Marines, deployed to Bagram Air Field in March 2004 and returned in October 2004. Major Gerhard was awarded the Bronze Star in recognition of his efforts.
Major Gerhard returned and assumed the duties of Detachment I-I which had been gapped in his absence. After a year in that billet, he then transferred to 4th MLG in January 2006, assuming command of Bridge Company A, 6th ESB, in Battle Creek, MI. His promotion to LtCol in October 2007 cut short his tour, and he came back to MWSG-47 as the Operations Officer in January 2008 where he currently carries out the duties of that role.
LtCol Gerhard lives in Oakland Township, MI and works at the Program Manager’s Office – Light Armored Vehicle as the Deputy Team Leader, Product Data Management Team. He is married to the former Paula Badalamenti and has two sons, Noah and Lucas, who are 10 and 9 respectively.
LtCol Gerhard’s awards include the Bronze Star, Navy Achievement Medal with one gold star device second award, SMCR Medal with two bronze star devices, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with bronze star device, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star device, Armed Forces Service Medal with “M” and “2” designation, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. LtCol Gerhard is currently the Executive Officer of Marine Wing Support Group 47 at Selfridge Air National Guard base.