Gunnery Sgt. Neil Loaiza currently serves as the instrument repair technician of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band. In this capacity he inspects, maintains, and repairs musical equipment. Gunnery Sgt. Loaiza also manages the band’s supply, hazmat, safety, environmental, facilities, fiscal, and travel sections.
Gunnery Sgt. Loaiza holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Maryland Global Campus.
Gunnery Sgt. Loaiza enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2004 and completed Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina and Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He completed the Basic Music Course in 2005 at the Armed Forces School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Gunnery Sgt. Loaiza served as a saxophone instrumentalist in the following fleet Marine bands: 2nd Marine Division Band (2005-2009); Marine Band San Diego (2009-2014); 1st Marine Division Band (2014-2016); and the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band (2016-2018). As do all fleet Marine musicians, Gunnery Sgt. Loaiza served in a variety of music, collateral duty, and leadership roles, to include platoon leadership.
Gunnery Sgt. Loaiza deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2007), Marine Forces Europe and Africa - Djibouti (2017), and Task Force 61/2 – Italy (2025). Gunnery Sgt. Loaiza is ground safety officer and a hazardous material/waste officer.
Gunnery Sgt. Loaiza was promoted to his current rank in 2018 and attended the band instrument repair program at Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing, Minnesota, graduating with honors in 2019. Additionally, he has studied flute repair with Joel Straubinger, and Paul Rabinov. He served as the instrument repair technician of the following fleet Marine band: III Marine Expeditionary Force Band (2019-2022).
Gunnery Sgt. Loaiza attended the Fire Warden Course (2013), Joint Humanitarian Operations Course (2022), and is a graduate of the Advance School Seminar (2022). His personal awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4th award), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award).