Meet Gunnery Sergeant Nicole Adams — 2013 Wounded Veteran
Nicole Adams was born March 30th 1982 and raised in Roseville California, where she graduated from Woodcreek High School in 2000 and enlisted into the Marine Corps.
Private First Class Adams completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, in February 2001 and was assigned as an Ammo Technician for Ammunition Company, 2nd Supply Battalion on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
In February 2002, Corporal Adams was transferred to Combat Service Support Group, Service Support Group 26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), where she served as an Ammo Technician on the USS Iwo Jima, part of the Amphibious Readiness Group, throughout the Mediterranean Sea in support of Joint Task force Liberia and ultimately Operation Iraqi Freedom, in Mosul Iraq.
In February 2005, Sergeant Adams transferred to Recruiting Station (RS) Sacramento, 12th Marine Corps District (MCD), Western Recruiting Region(WRR), where she was assigned as a Programs Specialist and Enlisted Recruiter where her Recruiting Sub Station (RSS) won Small RSS of the Year for 2006.
In July 2007, Staff Sergeant Adams tragically lost her Fiancé, Silver Star recipient Corporal Sean A Stokes, to a enemy forces utilizing an improvised explosive device on a routine patrol in Karmah Iraq. At the time of the incident Corporal Stokes was serving as part of the 13th MEU's Battalion Landing Team Commanding Officer's Personal Security Detachment. Despite her tragic loss Staff Sergeant Adams immersed herself in her work and returned to serve as the Officer Selection Assistant and due to her superior performance was then assigned as Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge. Her dedication to her Corps and her desire to contribute would directly contribute to, Recruiting Station (RS) Sacramento earning RS of the District in 2008 and RS of the Nation in 2009. In January of 2009 she married Sergeant Bradley S Adams, who served in Lima Co 3rd Battalion 1st Marine Regiment for 5 years, serving 5 combat tours of duty and receiving the Purple Heart 2 times. Promoted to Gunnery Sergeant they were blessed with the birth of their daughter Aurora Nicole Adams, in August of 2010.
In February 2011, Gunnery Sergeant Adams reported to 1st Marine Division G4 to serve as the Assistant Ammo Chief. In October 2011 she was transferred to Wounded Veteran Battalion West, Camp Pendleton California, where she was assigned as the Current Operations Chief. While at Wounded Veteran Battalion, her husband of three years tragically succumbed to his battle with Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and lost his life to a service related suicide in her presence. Always the Marine, Gunnery Sergeant Adams once again focused her energy toward supporting her Corps and participated in the 2012 Warrior Games in Colorado where she medaled in 6 events. Her dedication and commitment would directly contribute to the Marine Corps winning the overall medal count.
In August 2011, Gunnery Sergeant Adams transferred back to RS Sacramento to serve as a Military Entry Processing Station Liaison.
Gunnery Sergeant Adams' personal decorations include: the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 Gold Stars in lieu of second and third award, the Combat Action Ribbon for serving in direct combat against the enemy, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation with 3 Bronze Stars in lieu of second, third and fourth award, the Navy Meritorious Unit Citation, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with 2 Bronze Stars in lieu of second and third award, the National Defense Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Sea service Deployment Ribbon, the Marine Corps Recruiting ribbon and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
Additionally Gunnery Sergeant Adams has also received 5 Letters of Appreciation, 10 Meritorious Masts, 2 Unit Certificates of Commendation, 4 Individual Certificates of Commendation and 4 Certificates of Appreciation.
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Jeff Anderson
CEO/Founder, Rebuilding Warriors
