My Retirement Ceremony from the Marines

Robert C. Mazza Jr. was raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Shortly after completing high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and graduated from MCRD San Diego on 31 October 2003. Subsequently, Private Mazza completed Marine Combat Training in Camp Pendleton in December of 2003.
On 4 January 2004, Private Mazza began his training as an aviation structures and hydraulics mechanic with the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Command in NAS Pensacola, Florida. On 1 February 2004, he was promoted to Private First Class. In June of 2004, He completed the KC130F/R/T Airframes Organizational Maintenance course in MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina; obtaining the MOS 6256.
On 18 July 2004, Private First Class Mazza reported to VMGR-152 in Okinawa, Japan. Shortly after his arrival, he was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal on 2 September 2004. In May of 2005, he was promoted to Corporal and became the first person from his class to become an Airframes Collateral Duty Inspector, an MOS qualification required to inspect aircraft maintenance actions. On 1 August 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and held the billet of Noncommissioned Officer In-Charge (NCOIC). During this tour, Sergeant Mazza participated in several operational training detachments and humanitarian missions in the pacific region. Additionally, he aided in the unit's transition to the KC-130J aircraft by performing transfer inspections on the legacy KC-130F and R model aircraft to retire them from the fleet.
On 23 Aug 2008, Sergeant Mazza reported to VMGR-352 in San Diego, California and assumed the billet of Airframes NCOIC. In January of 2009, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sergeant Mazza then became a Quality Assurance Collateral Duty Inspector, an MOS qualification required to inspect maintenance actions that are critical to flight safety. In April of 2009, on presidential orders, Sergeant Mazza and a few selected Marines were sent to Kandahar, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom for the remaining five months of the deployment. In Mar of 2010, Sergeant Mazza was assigned as an Airframes Quality Assurance Representative, a billet reserved for Marines with an extensive maintenance background. On 1 April 2011, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and in July of 2012, Staff Sergeant Mazza deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Airframes SNCOIC.
On 21 June 2014, Staff Sergeant Mazza reported for a second tour to VMGR-152 and held the billets of Airframes Quality Assurance Representative, Advance Skills Management Fleet Administrator, Maintenance Controller, Safe for Flight, and Technical Directive Coordinator.
On 3 June 2017, Staff Sergeant Mazza reported for a second tour to VMGR-352. He served as a Maintenance Controller, Safe for Flight, and Technical Directive Coordinator. On 1 July 2018, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and in October of 2018, he deployed in support of SMAGTF-CR-CC as the VMGR-352 Detachment Maintenance Control Chief.
On 30 July 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Mazza reported for a third tour to VMGR-152 where he lead the squadron's maintenance efforts as the Maintenance Control SNCOIC.
On 31 August 2023, Gunnery Sergeant Mazza retired from the Marine Corps after 20 years of honorable service.
Gunnery Sergeant Mazza's personal awards consist of a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal in lieu of 4th award and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in lieu of 4th award.