Region 7 CO - LtCol. Paul T. Deutsch, USMC

Lieutenant Colonel Paul T. Deutsch was commissioned in May 1992, after graduating from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. He also holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Boston University and he is a Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM). Completing The Basic School at Quantico, Virginia in 1992, Second Lieutenant Deutsch attended Financial Management School and graduated as the Class Honor Graduate.

In 1993, he reported to 1st Force Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton, California for duty as a Deputy Disbursing Officer. Lieutenant Deutsch then joined the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) as the Disbursing Officer and deployed twice in 1994 and 1996. His first deployment included service during Operation United Shield in Somalia, and during his second deployment, he filled two billets as the Headquarters Commandant for the MEU Command Element and as the MEU Disbursing Officer.

In January 1997, Captain Deutsch reported for duty with 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. He served as a Series Commander and Company Executive Officer with Alpha Company. In April 1998, he was assigned as Company Commander for Delta Company. He served as the Company Commander until June 1999 when he detached. In July 1999, Captain Deutsch reported to Amphibious Warfare School as a student. In May 2000, he graduated as a Distinguished Graduate.

In May 2000, Captain Deutsch reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, where he served as a Budget Analyst in the Programs and Resources Department. In 2002, he was selected to be the Aide-de-Camp for the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, where he served until June 2003.

In July 2003, Major Deutsch assumed duties as the Disbursing Officer, 2d Force Service Support Group. In October 2004, he was also assigned a second billet as the Company Commander, Service Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2d Force Service Support Group. While filling both billets, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-06 from February to September 2005. In October 2005, he turned over command of Service Company and returned full time to his duties as the Disbursing Officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. As the Disbursing Officer from August 2003 to August 2006, he oversaw the East Coast Consolidation of Disbursing and Finance Offices, consolidating eight offices into a single one at Camp Lejeune.

In August 2006, Major Deutsch was reassigned to be the Comptroller, 2d Marine Logistics Group where he managed a budget of more than one hundred million dollars annually. After two years in that billet, Lieutenant Colonel Deutsch returned to Programs and Resources Department, Headquarters Marine Corps in July 2008. He served as the Deputy Branch Head for the Finance Branch, coordinating Marine Corps disbursing and finance policies and procedures. In August 2010, Lieutenant Colonel Deutsch began a one year top level school assignment as the Commandant of the Marine Corps fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS).

Region 7 - First Sergeant Roger J. Sands, USMC

First Sergeant Sands was born on 16 October 1967 and is a native of Penn Yan, New York. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 14 October 1986 and completed boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC in January 1987. He attended Infantry Training School, Camp Geiger, NC where earning the MOS of 0352 (Anti-Tank Missile Man). After graduation, Lance Corporal Sands reported for duty with Weapons Company, 2nd Light Armored Vehicle Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During this time, 2nd LAV Battalion was re-designated as 2nd Light Armored Infantry Battalion. After promotion to Corporal in spring 1988, he was assigned to Delta Company, 2nd LAI Bn. He returned to Panama as a Scout Squad Leader where he participated in “Operation Just Cause.” Corporal Sands then deployed to the Persian Gulf for “Operations Desert Storm/Desert Shield” where he served as TOW Gunner and Vehicle Commander. In October 1991 Corporal Sands was assigned as Platoon Sergeant for Weapons platoon and was promoted to Sergeant May 1992. In August 1992 Sergeant Sands was discharged from the Marine Corps receiving an Honorable Discharge. As a civilian, Mr. Sands earned an Associates Applied Science degree in Conservation/Law Enforcement. Sergeant Sands returned to active duty on 29 Aril 1998. He attended the Marine Artillery School, Fort Sill, OK where he earned the MOS 0844. After graduation, Sergeant Sands reported for duty with India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines at Camp Lejeune, NC. He served as Assistant Operations Chief before taking over as Battery Operations Chief and HQ Platoon Sergeant in 1999. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in November 2001. Staff Sergeant Sands was assigned to duty with Marine Security Guard Battalion in December 2002. Following graduation, Staff Sergeant Sands and family arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in March 2003 for duty as Detachment Commander of MSG Detachment Bishkek. After a successful tour in Kyrgyzstan, he rotated to Panama City, Panama in July 2004. While serving with MSG Detachment Panama he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant on 1 January 2005. In January 2006, Gunnery Sergeant Sands reported for duty with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines as the 81’s/MAP Platoon Commander at Camp Lejeune, NC. During this time 2/8 conducted two deployments to Al Anbar Province, Iraq. From April-June 2007 he successfully completed the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Advanced Course, Class 4-07. In August 2008, Gunnery Sergeant Sands was assigned to 10th Marine Regiment as the Regimental Sensors Chief. April 2009 he reported to Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, Region 7 Headquarters as Regional First Sergeant.