1st Marine Division

Staff Sergeant Neil Loaiza enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 2004. Upon graduation of recruit training and Marine Combat Training, he received orders to the Naval School of Music and in 2005 he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. After graduating the School of Music in September, 2005, Lance Corporal Loaiza was then transferred to the 2nd Marine Division Band Camp Lejeune North Carolina where he served as Saxophone instrumentalist, Supply Clerk, and Fiscal Clerk and was promoted to the rank of Corporal in May of 2006. 

As a Corporal, he was assigned a Fire Team and served as the Supply NCOIC and Fiscal NCOIC. In February 2007, the majority of the band attached to 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He deployed to Camp Fallujah, Iraq, where he served as a watch stander for the main entry control point.  Corporal Loaiza returned to Camp Lejeune in September 2007 and assumed duties as the Assistant Section Leader, Hazardous/Safety NCOIC, Fiscal NCOIC, and Small Ensemble leader for the Saxophone Quartet.  In September 2008, Corporal Loaiza was promoted to Sergeant and was assigned a squad.  In April 2009 he was transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego where throughout his time there he served in many key billets within the unit to include Fire Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Guide, Assistant Saxophone Section Leader, Saxophone Section Leader, Woodwind Quintet Ensemble Leader, Supply NCOIC, Hazardous/Safety Coordinator, Fire Warden, Defense Travel System SNCOIC, and Assistant Instrument Repair Technician.  In September 2012, Sergeant Loaiza was promoted to his current rank of Staff Sergeant and in October 2013 he graduated the Career Course at Camp Pendleton.  In February of 2014, Staff Sergeant Loaiza completed the National Defense University’s Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course.  In April 2014 Staff Sergeant Loaiza was transferred to his current duty station with the 1st Marine Division Band Camp Pendleton California.  He currently serves as the units Instrument Repair Technician. 

Staff Sergeant Loaiza’s awards include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.