Gunnery Sergeant Chad L. Welch retired from the United States Marine Corps on March 1, 2017 after serving 20 years of dedicated service to his country.

Welch was honored by having Colonel Sean Webster give his retiring address. Welch had served under Webster in his first tour of Afghanistan and the colonel gave a most eye opening address of the responsibilities that were bestowed upon Welch during a very difficult point and time and how Welch was responsible for successfully bringing his men home safely.

During most of Welch’s career in the Marines he worked in the Motor Transportation Maintenance field serving in many capacities including maintenance chief and teaching mechanics as an instructor to new Marines at the Motor Transport Maintenance Instructional Company, Camp Johnson, North Carolina.

Welch wore many hats during his career, including acting as the Company first sergeant while his unit was deployed, and finishing his career as the Squadron substance abuse control officer.

Welch started his military career at Paris Island and then spent eight years at Camp Pendleton, California, while spending time for advanced training at other camps. While at Pendleton, he was deployed at sea on LSD-47 USS Rushmore for six months and later deployment to Iraq for six months. After that he transferred to Okinawa. From there he did his first deployment in Afghanistan for 14 months. After returning to Okinawa, he transferred to Camp Lejeune where he was then deployed for a second time to Afghanistan for seven months. Returning again to Camp Lejeune and working various jobs, Welch finished his career at Cherry Point, North Carolina.

Welch is the son of Ralph “Skip” and Doris Welch of Boothbay Harbor. He now lives in Swansboro, North Carolina with his wife, Sandra, son Kyle and stepdaughter, Samantha.