Gage Barbieri, a 19-year-old corporal from Loxahatchee, Florida, has received high praise and the prestigious Meritorious Service Medal for his exceptional service in the U.S. Marine Corps, specifically his work with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). Corporal Barbieri’s efforts are not only a testament to his skill and dedication but also provide significant improvements and savings for the Department of Defense (DoD).
Barbieri joined the Marine Corps with an interest in mechanical engineering but little hands-on experience as a mechanic. His enlistment soon led him to become an automotive maintenance technician with Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Early in his career, he established his reputation as a quick learner and problem solver, surpassing the skills of his peers and even some more experienced Marines in his field.
“Within a few weeks it was evident that his level of understanding and mechanical knowledge was well above that of a newly trained technician,” recalled Master Sgt. Daryl Cannon, Barbieri’s former staff noncommissioned officer in charge. “He quickly surpassed his peers and many of the Marines who had been in the MOS for significantly longer than he had been.”
Taking on the JLTV system, Barbieri identified critical gaps in the official technical manuals used across the DoD. His work involved repairs on over 75 principal trucks and equipment, maintaining a battalion readiness above 90 percent. To support his maintenance efforts, he ordered over $200,000 in repair parts for the 2d MARDIV.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Watson, Barbieri’s former maintenance officer, highlighted the significance of Barbieri’s contributions: “Barbieri’s accomplishments at work allowed him to directly affect the battalion’s ability to support the 2d MARDIV in Logistical support.”
“He is a technically savvy, well-rounded Marine,” said Master Sgt. Kenneth Byxbee Jr., Barbieri’s former motor transport maintenance chief. “He could diagnose issues that most Marines couldn’t find and was able to make the repairs that civilian engineers from external organizations couldn’t. He was an asset to have down here as far as troubleshooting and improving maintenance proficiency.”
Barbieri’s detailed recommendations for the technical manual were estimated to save the DoD over 900,000-man hours of maintenance production time and more than $140 million throughout the entire life cycle of the JLTV platform.
“This was one hell of a catch by this young Marine. His work on this work package could possibly prevent loss of life,” said Jason Wolfe, former Marine Corps Systems Command civilian.
Relevant articles:
– Marine Corps Corporal is Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, II Marine Expeditionary Force (.mil)
– Marine from Loxahatchee awarded for work with U.S. Marine Corps, WPEC
– Marine Corps Corporal From Loxahatchee Awarded Meritorious Service Medal, Town-Crier Newspaper