Gerdes performs dual role
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NEW ORLEANS, La. — A Marine that possesses the ability to teach is an invaluable asset in the Marine Corps. Non-commissioned officers and staff non-commissioned officers rely on this ability to instruct Marines on the proper way to conduct business, whether it’s on the battlefield or in garrison.
Master Sgt. Timothy Gerdes, the son of Ron and Sally Gerdes of Arizona and the grandson of former Princeton residents the late Emma Guthrie and Minnie Gerdes however, has taken the art of instructing Marines to another level during his service.
Gerdes, a modern-day renaissance man, obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees while etching out a long career in the Marine Corps. Gerdes has spent his entire career as an intelligence specialist, but found an extra title that fits his personality.
“Teaching is something that’s not foreign to staff NCOs,” said Gerdes. “I’ve always enjoyed teaching; and imparting my personal and professional expertise to young Marines.”
Gerdes, who in 2006 obtained his master’s degree in strategic intelligence from the National Defense Intelligence College, taught college-level courses to Marines and sailors while deployed in Iraq.
Gerdes obtained permission through Park University to instruct a credited course to Marines who were deployed in Fallujah in 2007 and 2008. Gerdes taught two Foreign Policy classes during his deployment in support of OIF.
Gerdes wasn’t intending to teach foreign policy, but he realized he could easily articulate the subject matter in a way that was meaningful to his students.
Foreign Policy, according to Gerdes, has a correlation to why service members do what they do.
Gerdes said through foreign policy “the students could gain an understanding of why they were in country.”
Gerdes certainly has plenty of experience in foreign affairs. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in February 1990 with no particular reason, saying he was “just looking for something to do after high school.”
Shortly after his enlistment Gerdes started his long string of deployments. He deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1991. After his participation in quelling the Los Angeles riots in 1992, Gerdes headed to Somalia to support Operation Restore Hope.
He returned to Somalia while attached to a Marine Expeditionary Unit to support Operation United Shield, aiding in the evacuation of 6200 U.N. peacekeepers. While participating in United Shield, Gerdes was awarded his second Combat Action Ribbon.
With his mind on getting an education, Gerdes decided to start his degree program during a special tour with the U.S. Border Patrol. Gerdes began his program in 1995 and spent the next seven years completing his degree, doing the majority of his classes at night following a full day of work.
Though the schedule was taxing on him and his family, Gerdes found a way to make it work and received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Mount Olive College in Mount Olive, N.C.
Gerdes was originally planning to use his degree as a transition into the officer ranks in the Marine Corps, but had to leave Officer Candidates School with three weeks remaining in his training due to a back injury. After returning to the enlisted ranks, Gerdes mapped out a quick route to his master’s degree.
Gerdes participated in two combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, one in 2005 and one in 2007-2008. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his efforts in his last deployment to Iraq.
Gerdes completed his master’s degree in 2006, then deployed to Iraq shortly after. He said upon returning from Iraq in 2008, he was almost overwhelmed with the amount of free time he had available since his personal and educational goals had been accomplished.
“It was my first time in 13 years when I wasn’t in school or deployed,” said Gerdes. “I didn’t know what to do with myself.”
Gerdes hasn’t taught a class since his return from Iraq in 2008 though he does list it as a possibility after he retires from the Marine Corps. Despite feeling teaching came naturally to him, Gerdes acknowledges he learned something from his experience.
“It taught me about my writing and (about) being able to express yourself in an articulate manner that is basic enough for a lot of people to understand.” said Gerdes. “I had to keep everyone together on the same sheet of music.”
If you were to walk into Park University, you would see a picture of Gerdes with his first class he taught in Iraq, and an American flag he had flown over Camp Fallujah, Iraq. The picture, which Gerdes sent to the university, is hanging up in the front office in a frame.
“That was really cool,” said Gerdes.
Capt. Karl Nordeen, acting deputy G2 and counter intelligence officer for MFR, has worked with Gerdes since his arrival at MFR and sees him as a shining example of Marine leadership.
“As a staff NCO he is a consummate professional with a wealth of knowledge in the intelligence field, and he’s always willing to pack up and lend his expertise,” said Nordeen. “He’s a good mentor for young Marines, but aside from being a mentor he’s a good exemplar for showing the Marines the proper way to do things.”
He has affected the lives of many Marines and sailors throughout his 19-plus years of service, both through his experience as a leader and as a source of knowledge. Gerdes epitomizes the ideal qualities of a Marine leader whether in uniform or plain clothes.
