Master Gunnery Sergeant Brad Dean, a native of North Carolina, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1995 as an Infantryman. Upon completion of initial training, he was screened and selected for assignment to 2d Reconnaissance Company/Battalion after a three month Reconnaissance Indoctrination Program (RIP) in Camp Lejeune, NC. In 1999, he transferred to the Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force. From 1996-2004, MGySgt Dean graduated from a multitude of specialized schools and conducted multiple MEU deployments, which included Operation Allied Force, Operation Shinning Hope, and Operation Joint Guardian in Macedonia and Kosovo in 1999 and 2001, Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2004.
In 2005, MGySgt Dean was transferred to the School of Infantry, East at Camp Geiger, NC, for duty as a Marine Combat Instructor. During this time he served as a Platoon Commander and Company Gunnery Sergeant for Fox Co, 2d Marine Combat Training Battalion and as an Instructor for the Infantry Squad leaders Course, Advanced Infantry Training Company.
In 2008, MGySgt Dean was transferred back to 2d Reconnaissance Battalion at Camp Lejeune, NC for duty as a Platoon Sergeant. In 2009, his platoon deployed to Ramadi, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with 6th Marine Regimental Combat Team.
In December 2009, MGySgt Dean was transferred to the Force Reconnaissance Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan for duty as the Company Operations Chief. During this time, he conducted numerous partner nation exercises in support of III MEF.
In September of 2011, MGySgt Dean returned to Camp Lejeune, NC for duty at 2d Reconnaissance Battalion. During this time, he served as Company Operations Chief for C Company and was subsequently transferred in 2013 to serve as the Operations Chief, Force Reconnaissance Company. He deployed in 2015 in support of the 26 Marine Expeditionary Unit. Upon returning from deployment, he was assigned as the Training Chief, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion. In 2016, he was selected to MGySgt and subsequently assigned as the Battalion Operations Chief.
In July 2018, he was transferred to the Pentagon to serve as the Reconnaissance Occupational Field Sponsor and Advocate at Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters, Marine Corps. In August 2021, he was transferred back to Camp Lejeune, NC and is currently assigned as the Senior Enlisted Advisor of Expeditionary Operations Training Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Dean’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd Award), and Combat Action Ribbon (3rd Award).