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Sgt. Maj. Dennis Bradley has joined the “Caltrap 9” club, meaning he is now 3rd Marine Division’s sergeant major. He was previously a command senior enlisted leader at Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
“I was very honored to have that billet,” Bradley said. “Now, I’m extremely humbled and excited to be able to have the opportunity to be with the men and women of the 3rd Marine Division.”
He said he looks forward to contributing to the warfighting capabilities of the Division, since this is the only forward-deployed Division in the Corps. He gives credit to Sgt. Maj. Vincent Santiago for his accomplishments and leadership through Caltrap Nation. He hopes to fill Santiago’s combat boots appropriately and carry on with everything he started.
With Bradley’s 28 years of experience in the Marine Corps, his motivation to be the senior enlisted advisor for one of the Corps’ most complex Divisions would come as no surprise, but here are five things that might surprise you about Sgt. Maj. Bradley.
He’s a military brat.
Bradley grew up wherever the Air Force placed his family. His father was a combat controller and served in the Vietnam War.
He’s a rock star.
When he’s not leading Marines or Sailors, he’s jamming out on his guitar (whenever his wife allows him). Bradley’s favorite song to play is “Hallowed Be Thy Name” by Iron Maiden.
He’s all for functional fitness.
Although he used to be a huge opponent of this style of training, Bradley’s eyes were opened to the program 11 years ago while he was PT’ing with a sergeant at a forward operating base in Iraq.
He’s a Michigan Wolverines fan (for now).
“I’ve been a Michigan Wolverines fan for a long time but if Coach Harbaugh doesn’t fix that team pretty soon, they’re going to lose a fan.” Guess you’ll have to cheer for a real team now, Sgt. Maj.
He’s a Star Wars buff.
Bradley said he loves the original Star Wars trilogy, but the Empire Strikes Back is top notch. He remembers seeing the original movie with his father in the theaters and if “you’re my age, Star Wars defines your childhood,” said Bradley.
Though a man of many personas in his free time, Bradley has no problem leading the way he prefers to be led.
“My chevrons don’t belong to me,” Bradley said. “They belong to the men and women who I lead and if I fail to use them to help and take care of the [Marines], I don’t rate to wear these chevrons anymore.”
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| Date Taken: | 02.27.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2018 01:24 |
| Story ID: | 267659 |
| Location: | CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 896 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 5 Things You Don't Know About Sgt. Maj. Bradley, by SSgt Ally Beiswanger, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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