Biography
Drum Major, 1st Marine Division Band
Gunnery Sergeant Robert Brooks

Gunnery Sergeant Robert Brooks was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in Caroline Country, Virginia. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in July of 2002 upon graduation from high school, and completed Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in October of that same year. After graduation from basic training, he attended the Naval School of Music Basic Course in Norfolk, Virginia. Following the Basic Course, Gunnery Sergeant Brooks was attached to the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band in Okinawa, Japan where he served as a Trumpet Instrumentalist. In November of 2004 he was transferred to the Quantico Marine Corps Band at Marine Corps Base Quantico where he served as the Training Non-Commissioned Officer. In November of 2007, Gunnery Sergeant Brooks deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While deployed, he served as Squad Leader and Vehicle Commander for First Platoon, Task Force National Capitol Region. In July 2009, he received orders to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band, Twenty-Nine Palms, California, where he served as Assistant Drum Major, Administration Staff Non-Commissioned Officer, Trumpet Section Leader, Brass Quintet Leader, and Emergency Operations Center Security Officer. In December of 2011, he received orders to the Unit Leaders Course at the Armed Forces School of Music, and upon graduation reported to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, where he served as Assistant Drum Major, Administration Staff Non-Commissioned Officer, Operations Chief, Brass Quintet Leader, and Vocalist for the Rock and Brass Band. In June 2016, Gunnery Sergeant Brooks received orders to the 1st Marine Division Band, Camp Pendleton, California where he currently serves as the Drum Major and a Combat Marksmanship Coach.

 
1st Marine Division