Sergeant Mixon served as a Vehicle Commander and gunner in 4th platoon, A company 1-17IN 5/2ID (SBCT) from XXXXXXX to XXXXXXX. During the 5/2ID unit rotation to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, he led the platoon in identifying insurgent threats. This led to all platoon missions being free of damage to vehicles or injury to personnel. In addition, he was instrumental in furthering the training of Rangers from 2nd battalion, 75th Ranger regiment. He also supported training on a variety of lesser tasks which ensured time could be spent on training instead of preparing for it. He devoted himself to learning about weapon systems, vehicles and tactics. Sergeant Mixon continually instructed members of the platoon on the Mark-19, communications equipment, and Infantry Carrier Vehicle Stryker operations. Further, He trained three back-up gunners/vehicle commanders for A-42 which prevented delays and facilitated seamless operations.
AS M88A2 VEHICLE COMMANDER AND MAIN BATTLE TANK TECHNICIAN, SERGEANT FITZGERALD EXECUTED HIS DUTIES PROFESSIONALLY, DEMONSTRATING MOS PROFICIENCY, LEADERSHIP, AND HARD WORK. SERGEANT FITZGERALD WAS IN CHARGE OF CONDUCTING ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL SERVICES TO THE M88A2, RECOVERY SUPPORT, AND THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF OVER 2.7 MILLION DOLLARS OF EQUIPMENT. FROM MAY TO JULY 2015, HE SUPPORTED 1ST TANK BATTALION AT TANK, PLATOON, AND COMPANY LEVEL GUNNERIES. DURING THIS TIME SERGEANT FITZGERALD PROVIDED 1ST TANK BATTALION, DELTA COMPANY WITH OVER 200 HOURS OF TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE ON 16 M1A1 MAIN BATTLE TANKS AND TWO M88A2 RECOVERY VEHICLES. HE ALSO SUPERVISED OVER 30 HOURS AND OVER 150 HOURS OF M88A2 OPERATIONS AS VEHICLE COMMANDER TO INCLUDE ONE RECOVERY AND ONE TOWING OPERATION.
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN THE SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES WHILE SERVING AS INFANTRY VEHICLE COMMANDER, ANTI-TANK TRAINING COMPANY, 4TH MARINE DIVISION, FROM JANUARY 2019 TO FEBRUARY 2020. DURING THIS PERIOD, SERGEANT COX CONSISTENTLY PERFORMED HIS DUTIES IN A HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL MANNER. HE SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTED FIVE FIELD EXERCISES AND ONE CULMINATING LIVE FIRE EXERCISE WITH ZERO SAFETY INCIDENTS. AS A 3521 MOTOR-T OPERATOR AND HIGHLY VERSATILE SOLDIER, HE FREQUENTLY TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF TO INSTRUCT THE 120 SOLDIERS OF THE COMPANY ON INFANTRY WEAPON SYSTEMS. HIS BROAD AND EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE HELPED ADVANCE AND TRAIN 22 SOLDIERS, ENABLING THEM TO REACH THE NEXT QUALIFICATION LEVEL. SERGEANT COX'S UNSURPASSED PROFESSIONALISM AND DEVOTION TO DUTY REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
