Our Found Todd Gerspach served with the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, NC from 1984 to 1988. He deployed 4 times during his tenure. Servant Leadership is foundational to the Marine Corps’ leadership doctrine. This became the cornerstone of Todd’s leadership journey and is a critical component within his leadership philosophy.

In 1984, Todd attended Marine Corps bootcamp at MCRD San Diego and quickly thereafter, attended Assault Amphibian School at Camp Pendleton (YAT-YAS). Later that year on November 10th, he was recognized as the youngest Marine at Camp Pendleton on the Marine Corps birthday. He was just 17 years old.

In early 1985 he attended CAX desert warfare and live fire training at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center at Twenty-nine Palms, CA. Later that year he was selected for UNITAS XXVI / WATC-85 and served onboard the USS Saginaw (LST-1188) that deployed throughout South and Central America and West Africa. He participated in humanitarian aid missions bringing medical supplies and food throughout West Africa.

In 1986 Todd deployed two times to Europe. His first deployment was for Artic Warfare training in Norway and then he deployed to NATO’s “Northern Wedding” navel and amphibious landing exercises aboard the USS Newport (LST-1179).

In 1987 Todd volunteered again to deploy to South America and West Africa for UNITAS XXVIII / WATC-87. He participated in Operation Handclasp a humanitarian aid mission supplying needed food and medical supplies throughout West Africa.

In 1988 Todd was honorably discharged from active duty and returned to his hometown Milwaukee, WI.