Master Gunnery Sergeant Deanda, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, enlisted in May 2000, through the delayed entry program at the Pittsburgh MEPS. After graduating from high school he attended recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, SC in October 2000. Upon completion of recruit training he attended Marine combat training at Camp Lejeune, NC, followed by military occupational specialty (MOS) training at the Defense Information School in Ft. Meade, MD.
After completing primary MOS training as a combat photographer, and secondary MOS training as a combat videographer PFC Deanda was assigned to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA where he served as a videographer from 2001 to 2003.
In 2003 Cpl Deanda was assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in Okinawa Japan. While with the MEU he deployed to several countries in the Asian-Pacific including China, Australia, Singapore, the Philippines, Korea, and East Timor. During his time with the MEU he was also promoted meritoriously to the rank of Sergeant.
In 2004 Sgt Deanda returned to CONUS and was assigned to the 3D Marine Expeditionary Wing (MAW) at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. While stationed at Miramar he served with the Wing and Station as the Consolidated Combat Camera Photo Section Chief. It was during this time that he deployed on two separate occasions to Central Command as an individual augment, Combat Photographer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). It was during the second deployment in 2007 that he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
SSgt Deanda executed Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia in 2007 where he served as the Imagery Accessions Chief for the Marine Corps Imagery Resource Center, and later the Combat Camera Management Center. While assigned to MCB Quantico SSgt Deanda initiated his follow-on off-duty education at Central Texas College (CTC). In 2009 SSgt Deanda again deployed as an individual augment in support of OIF as the Multi-National Forces Iraq, Commanding General’s Photographer in Baghdad, Iraq. During this deployment he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Upon completion of the one year tour in Iraq, GySgt Deanda returned to MCB Quantico where he continue to serve as the CCMC Accessions Chief.
In 2011, GySgt Deanda executed orders back to the 31st MEU. During his second tour with the MEU he again deployed to various countries across the Asia-Pacific region, this time including Indonesia and Malaysia. In addition to his duties as the Combat Camera Chief for the MEU, GySgt Deanda also served as the Headquarters Commandant and Uniformed Victim’s Advocate.
GySgt Deanda stayed OCONUS in execution of his next PCS, as he was stationed at Kaneohe Bay (K-Bay), MCB Hawaii in 2013. He served as Combat Camera Chief, and eventually the Communication Strategy and Operations (COMMSTRAT) Chief. During his time at K-Bay GySgt Deanda complete the General Studies Associates Degree program at CTC.
In August 2016, GySgt Deanda returned to MCB Camp Pendleton, this time with 1st Marine Division as a COMMSTRAT Chief. Soon after his arrival to 1st MarDiv he was attached to 7th Marines and deployed to Al Jabar Air Base, Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve as the COMMSTRAT Chief. While deployed, he was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant.
As a result of his promotion, MSgt Deanda received Permanent Change of Assignment orders while deployed to Kuwait. Upon returning from deployment in 2017 he carried out his PCA and became the Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA) for COMMSTRAT at MCB Camp Pendleton. During this assignment he was selected and eventually frocked to the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant.
In September 2019 MGySgt Deanda executed orders back to Okinawa, Japan where he served as the COMSTRAT Company SEA for III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (MIG). During his time with the MIG MGySgt Deanda also served as a MIG Detachment Chief for a joint training exercise with Army Stryker Brigade 2-1 at the National Training Center in Irwin, CA.
In September 2020, MGySgt PCS’d to II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), MCB Camp Lejeune. During his time at II MEF, MGySgt Deanda began the pursuit of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Morehouse College. The next year in October, he was given PCA orders to COMMSTRAT Co. II MIG, where he is currently assigned.
His personal awards include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Joint Service Achievement Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), Good Conduct Medal (7), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (2), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4).
He holds an Associate’s Degree in General Studies from Central Texas College, and is currently undergoing the Business Administration Bachelor’s Degree Program at Morehouse College.