SEAN KASPAR

Sean M. Kaspar, was born in Downers Grove, Illinois and attended St. Laurence High School in Burbank, Illinois where he graduated in May 2005.

Kaspar graduated from MCRD San Diego, California in December of 2005, as a Private. He reported in January 2006 to Infantry Training Battalion, SOI-W Camp Pendleton. After one month he was promoted to Private First Class. With successful completion of 0311 Infantry Rifleman’s Course, Kaspar was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal for Academics, Physical fitness, and the ability to lead.

Lance Corporal Kaspar was assigned in March 2006 to duty with 2nd Squad, 1st Platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, MCAGCC 29 Palms, California as a Rifleman. 2/7 was then starting their work up training for Iraq in which Lance Corporal Kaspar received cross training as a radio operator along with Assistant Fire Team Leader.

Lance Corporal Kaspar deployed in January 2007 with 2/7 Fox to Saqlaweia, Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He assumed the billet of Platoon Radio Operator maintaining accountability and ensuring serviceability of dozens of communications equipment in the platoon. During this deployment Lance Corporal Kaspar during a Battalion sized operation coordinated with supporting agencies and the company, facilitating the capture of a suspected insurgent, and the discovery of five separate weapons caches. His constant monitoring of multiple radio nets, tracking of adjacent unit positions, and ability to distill critical information enhanced his platoon commander’s situational awareness and facilitated the efficient maneuvering of the platoon against the enemy. Lance Corporal Kaspar also continued throughout the deployment to develop the Marines in his platoon in communications procedures through periods of instruction and practical application exercises. For Lance Corporal Kaspar’s actions during this deployment he was awarded a Certificate of Commendation by his Battalion Commander. In August of 2007 Lance Corporal Kaspar returned to MCAGCC 29 Palms.

In December 2007 Kaspar was promoted to Corporal. Corporal Kaspar was reassigned to 2nd Platoon, Fox Company, 2/7 and was made a Team Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader. In January 2008, Corporal Kaspar and his battalion were informed they would set to deploy again within 3 months to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Corporal Kaspar through all the pre-deployment work up training stepped up and held the Position of Squad Leader leading his squad through their training due to an injury of the original Squad leader. Corporal Kaspar was moved back to Fire Team Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader upon recovery of the Squad Leader.

In April 2008 Corporal Kaspar Deployed to the Musa Qaleh District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Corporal Kaspar lead his Marines through more than 25 combat patrols including two operations with British Forces. During each patrol he instructed and supervised the Afghan National Police and Army in vehicle and personnel searches, disrupting the enemy’s freedom of movement. On June 12, 2008 Insurgents engaged Corporal Kaspar’s patrol with accurate small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. As the engagement ensued, Corporal Kaspar led his team in clearing numerous enemy firing positions, engaging the enemy in close combat, eliminating an enemy combatant with a hand grenade. Corporal Kaspar personally destroyed another position with an anti-tank rocket, despite being struck in the Kevlar helmet by small arms fire as he prepared to engage. On June 18, 2008 Corporal Kaspar was the lead vehicle commander in a joint cordon operation with British Force when his convoy came under small arms and RPG fire. Kaspar’s vehicle became stuck in soft sand and quick thinking he ordered a 7-Ton to pull up and rig for tow to get out. Corporal Kaspar also instructed two additional Marines along with himself to get out under fire and rig the vehicle. Only outside the vehicle for a few minutes Corporal Kaspar and his Marines were ambushed from the tree line in which resulted in Corporal Kaspar being wounded by an enemy RPG and Mortar fire throwing more than 20 meters and receiving shrapnel wounds. Corporal was evacuated to Camp Bastian where he would undergo his first of many surgeries. Corporal Kaspar was evacuated then to Bahgram AB, Afghanistan where he received another surgery and was flown to Landstul Medical Center in Germany. In Germany Kaspar received two more surgeries before being flown to San Diego, California.

From Late June 2008 through April 2010, Corporal Kaspar was assigned to Naval Medical Center San Diego Detachment, Wounded Warrior Battalion-West where over the course of this time receive 18 surgeries, 3 skin grafts, a bone transplant to his ankle, and constant speech and physical therapy. Corporal Kaspar would not settle for anything even after being told he would more than likely not be able to stay in the Marine Corps. Corporal Kaspar overcame all the odds against him and worked his way back to being able to pass a PFT and CFT. Kaspar Reenlisted in October of 2009.

For Corporal Kaspar’s actions in combat during his Afghanistan deployment, he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device “V”.

In May 2010 Corporal Kaspar reported to Headquarters Battalion, 3d Marine Division, Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan where he was assigned to the Division G-3. In August of 2010 Kaspar was promoted to Sergeant. While serving in the G-3, Sergeant Kaspar held numerous billets to include Current Operations NCO, Training NCO, School’s NCO, Classified Materials NCO, Division Defense Readiness Chief, Current Operations Chief, Training Chief, Division Air Chief, Assistant Air Officer, and Training Officer.

August 1st 2010 Kaspar was promoted to Sergeant, on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan.

In March 2011, Sergeant Kaspar served as the Division Assistant Air Officer coordinating the scheduling tracking and movement of all 3d Marine Division Personnel and Gear in support of Operation Tomodachi from Okinawa to Mainland Japan, despite having no formal aviation operations training.

During his time with 3d Marine Division Sergeant Kaspar served as a vital link between higher, adjacent, and subordinate commands in the Division Operations Center while conducting exercises and real world operations. Displaying technical expertise, Sergeant Kaspar prepared and often delivered the daily and current operations briefs regarding status of forces to the Division Commanding General. For his time at 3d Marine Division Sergeant Kaspar was awarded Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (gold star in lieu of second award).

In March of 2013 through April 2013, Sergeant Kaspar volunteered and was assigned Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command in Hawaii. During this time period Sergeant Kaspar deployed to Vietnam as Recovery Team NCO in support of a plane crash site associated with the Vietnam War. Upon return to 3d Marine Division Sergeant Kaspar reported to Recruiters School, San Diego, California.

In January 2014 Sergeant Kaspar was assigned to 8th Marine Corps District, Recruiting Station Phoenix, Recruiting Substation East Tucson, Permanent Contact Station Sierra Vista as a Canvassing Recruiter. He was recognized as Rookie Recruiter of the Quarter for 1st quarter FY15.

On July 2, 2015, Selected on FY15 SDA meritorious board and was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant.

October 2015 – March 2017 Assigned as SNCOIC (Staff Non Commissioned Officer In Charge) of Recruiting Sub Station Flagstaff. Where in February 2017 became an 8412 Career Recruiter.

April 2017 – July 2018 Assigned SNCOIC of Recruiting Sub Station Arrowhead

July 2017 – August 2017, Attended Career Recruiters Course aboard MCRD San Diego, California

March 1, 2018 – Kaspar promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in Phoenix, Arizona.

July 2018 – September 2018 Assigned SNCOIC of Recruiting Sub Station Surprise

October 2018 – June 2020 Assigned Chief MEPS Liaison of Phoenix Military Entrance Processing Station for Recruiting Station Phoenix

July 2020-March 2023 – Gunnery Sergeant Kaspar is assigned to MCRD Parris Island, Eastern Recruiting Region Assistant Chief of Staff – Recruiting, Recruit Liaison Section Interviewer. Kaspar is responsible for 1st & 4th Recruit Training Battalions and for 4th & 12 Marine Corps Districts.

March 2023 – Present, Promoted to Master Sergeant

Gunnery Sergeant Kaspar is married to his wife Krista with four children;
Timothy (12), Aubrie (9), Gianna (6), and Isabella (3).