In 1993, he successfully completed Marine Security Guard School and was assigned to  Detachment Kampala Uganda, Central Africa serving as a watchstander. In 1995, he  completed his second post in Karachi, Pakistan. As a watchstander, he successfully  safeguarded American people, classified materials and property.  

Upon successful completion of Marine Security Duty, he was assigned to 3rd Bn 8th  Marines serving as an infantry squad leader and platoon leader. In 1996, he won his  second super squad competition in the 2nd Marine Division. In 1998 as a platoon  leader he successfully led a platoon of Marines in combat in Kosovo and Afghanistan.

In 1999, after completing the Basic Recruiters Course, Master Gunnery Sergeant Gaston  was assigned to the 6th Marine Corps District, RS Montgomery, Alabama, RSS Fort  Walton Beach, Florida. He immediately initiated a course of action to become a Career  Recruiter and subsequently earned the military occupational specialty of 8412. As the  SNCOIC of RSS Fort Walton Beach, he received station of the year honors and was  meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. He was then transferred to RSS  Montgomery, Alabama,  August 2002 for duty as the SNCOIC where his station  successfully made contracting and shipping requirements. 

In May 2004, he transferred to RS Columbia for duty as the Operations Chief. In June  2005, he was selected to Recruiter Instructor and in 2006 was selected as the District  Recruiter Instructor of the Year. In June 2008, he was selected as a member of the 6th  Marine Corps District Training Team. On January 15, 2010, he was reassigned to RS  Columbia for duty as the Recruiter Instructor. In 2012, Recruiting Station Columbia was  honored as the Recruiting Station of the year under MGySgt. Gaston’s leadership. On  December 15, 2012, he was selected to be the 6MCD Training Team Chief, where he  created the 6 MCD's first Hall of Fame Wall. In 2013, he was selected to the 6MCD  District Career Recruiter Hall of Fame. MGySgt Gaston received his Bachelors of  Business Management and Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Columbia Southern University. 

Master Gunnery Sergeant Gaston has two daughters, Leandra (32) and Diamond (25)

She began her naval career in November 2014 as an Engineman (EN) and completed Recruit Training at Great Lakes in January 2015. Her first assignment was at Assault Craft Unit Two in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she served until July 2019. She then served overseas in Manama, Bahrain as the Leading Petty Officer, from 2019 to 2021, gaining valuable experience while operating in a diverse and demanding environment.

In 2021, she transitioned to shore duty in Columbia, South Carolina, where she served as a Navy Recruiter and later converted to Navy Career Counselor (NC) in 2023. During her recruiting tour, she distinguished herself as a leader and mentor, guiding both Sailors and Future Sailors while earning recognition as Recruiter of the Year and receiving the Centurion Award for recruiting excellence. It was during her time in recruiting, working closely with young men and women preparing for their futures, that she developed a passion for mentoring students and helping them recognize their potential.

In addition to her military service, she is a mother of two, holds an Associate of Arts in Business Administration, and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree. Her commitment to continued education reflects the same lifelong-learning mindset she encourages in her cadets.

As a Naval Science Instructor, she brings real-world leadership experience and a genuine passion for developing young people. She believes leadership is about influence, not rank or position, and strives to equip every cadet with the confidence, discipline, accountability, and leadership skills needed to succeed in higher education, military service, and any career path they choose.