Sergeant Major Brandon W. Fairbanks is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in December of 1999 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC, followed by Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, NC. Upon completion of initial training, he attended Amphibious Assault Vehicle Crewman course, Camp Pendleton, CA, then received orders to Bravo Company, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, Jacksonville, FL to serve as an AAV crewman.
In April of 2002, Sergeant Major Fairbanks was attached to Delta Co, 2d AABN, Camp Lejeune, NC, and deployed to South America in support of Operation United Americas 43-02. In January 2003, Sergeant Major Fairbanks was assigned to Delta Co, 3d AABN, Camp Pendleton, CA, and deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this time, Sergeant Major Fairbanks served as a AAV crew chief in support of combat operations. In February of 2004, Sergeant Major Fairbanks deployed with Charlie Co, 2d AABN to South America in support of Operation United Americas 44-04. Upon return from deployment Sergeant Major Fairbanks attended Basic Recruiter Course, MCRD San Diego, and was assigned to Marine Corps Recruiting Station, Jacksonville, FL to serve as a canvasing recruiter. Upon completion of his successful tour, Sergeant Major Fairbanks transferred to the Selected Marine Corps Reserve and would serve as an AAV section leader at Bravo Co, 4th AABN. In March of 2008, Sergeant Major Fairbanks transferred to the Inactive Ready Reserve and during the follow on few years earned his undergraduate degree and had a successful career in Healthcare management.
In October 2010, Sergeant Major Fairbanks reenlisted in the Marine Corps and was assigned to Alpha Co, 4th AABN, Little Creek, VA, and served as AAV platoon sergeant and platoon commander. In 2011, Sergeant Major Fairbanks transferred to Supply Co, 4th Supply Bn, Raleigh, NC, to serve as company gunnery sergeant. In November 2011, Sergeant Major Fairbanks was assigned as an individual mobilized augmentee to the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, Quantico, VA, to serve as district injured support coordinator. In this role he assisted wounded, ill, and injured Marine Corps and Navy Corpsman veterans with their continued transition from active duty to civilian life. In September 2014, Sergeant Major Fairbanks returned to Marine Corps Recruiting Command and served as staff noncommissioned officer in charge of two Recruiting Sub Stations at Marine Corps Recruiting Station Jacksonville, FL. In September 2016, Sergeant Major Fairbanks was selected by the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, to serve as the inaugural Marine Corps marketing liaison to Wunderman Thompson advertising, Atlanta, GA. In May 2017, Sergeant Major Fairbanks received orders to the 6th Marine Corps Recruiting District, MCRD Parris Island, SC, to serve as the marketing chief and district training team member.
In 2017, Sergeant Major Fairbanks was selected to the rank of First Sergeant and received orders to 1st Bn, 2d Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune, NC,, and served as the Weapons Company unit senior enlisted leader. In December 2018, Sergeant Major Fairbanks deployed with the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit, Battalion Landing Team 1/2 in support of worldwide operations. In June of 2020, Sergeant Major Fairbanks attended the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 71, Fort Bliss, TX. In July 2021, Sergeant Major Fairbanks received orders to Marine Aircraft Group 31, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC and served as unit senior enlisted leader for Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, and subsequently squadron first sergeant for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31. In November, 2021, Sergeant Major Fairbanks was selected to his current rank and received orders to 3d Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment to serve as the command senior enlisted leader. Sergeant Major Fairbanks currently serves as the command senior enlisted leader for the 6th Marine Corps Recruiting District, Parris Island SC.
Sergeant Major Fairbanks holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso, a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from the Pennsylvania State University, and is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 71. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal with four gold stars, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.