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icon First Lieutenant Shaun M. Blue Leadership Trophy

First Lieutenant Troy Garza

Recipient of the 2024 Shaun M. Blue Trophy for Inspirational Leadership at The Basic School

First Lieutenant Garza was born in Harlingen, Texas and enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 2009. He attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA, then graduated the School of Infantry-West as an 0311 rifleman and promoted to Private First Class.

In September 2009, Private First Class Garza joined 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Kilo Company as a team leader. He was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal while deployed to South Korea in March 2010.

In September, Lance Corporal Garza deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan, serving in OEF 10.1 and 10.2. In December 2011, he was meritoriously promoted to Corporal and later deployed with the 15th MEU BLT aboard the USS Peleliu as a squad leader.

Corporal Garza was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant in August 2013 and requested orders to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines to deploy to Afghanistan as a squad leader and infantry unit leader in Sangin and Tactical Base Dwyer in support of OEF 14.1-14.2.

In June 2015, he graduated from Combat Instructor School, then reported to Charlie Company at Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-West, Camp Pendleton, CA. Sergeant Garza was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant in January 2017 while serving as a primary instructor at Infantry Small Unit Leader’s Course before being selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Program. He graduated Officer Candidate School in June 2018 with the Gung Ho Award.

In October 2018, Staff Sergeant Garza joined the NROTC consortium at the University of Houston, where he promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in March 2021, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Sciences in May 2022, and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.

Second Lieutenant Garza attended The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, graduating in the top 5%, meritoriously career designated, and awarded the TBS 1stLt Shaun Blue Leadership Award. After completing the Public Affairs & Communication Strategy Qualification Course, he received orders to I Marine Expeditionary Force, where he currently serves as a COMMSTRAT Officer.

First Lieutenant Garza’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/1 gold star, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal w/3 bronze stars, and Sea Service Deployment Medal w/2 bronze stars. He is an Honor Graduate of Corporals Course, Sergeants Course, Infantry Unit Leader’s Course, and Public Affairs & Communication Strategy Qualification Course.