Corporal Brayden Fitzgerald enlisted in the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit on July 3, 2023. Starting as a Fireteam Member in Alpha Company, Second Platoon, Second Squad, he took over as Assistant Squad Leader in the same squad on May 6, 2024, and has been leading from the front ever since.

Corporal Fitzgerald's dedication has always been outstanding. He currently holds significant responsibilities in two DMOS roles: as a Drill Instructor in the Force Improvement Group and as a Recruiter in the Recruiting and Retention Office. Throughout his career, he has earned numerous awards and badges, including a Purple Heart, an Army Commendation Medal, and three of our five skill badges: Airborne, Ranger, and Air Assault. His career is marked by excellence, embodying the qualities every soldier should strive for. His integrity, duty, and selfless service reflect great credit upon himself and the 3rd Infantry Division Realism Unit.

In recognition of Corporal Fitzgerald's remarkable service, demonstrated leadership potential, and outstanding achievements, he has been awarded the Soldier's Medal and distinguished as the Soldier of the Quarter for Q2 2024.

Interview with our Soldier of the Quarter

Tell us a little about yourself?

I'm just a 20 year old dude who lives in northern Maine, who likes video games, large amounts of caffeine, and a very unhealthy obsession with Fire trucks . I've never been in a Milsim unit before joining the 3rd but I have been a part of the fire service for 4 years. Which has taught me people skills along with problem solving skills that I can practice and apply, by being a part of this unit.

 Why did you join 3rdID and what keeps you here?

I joined this unit because my lieutenant at the fire department I was working at just told me to give it a try. He gave me no information about what I'm joining, but just told me to join it. During my OSUT I learned that this unit has a large history and the way it operates amazed me. As soon as I got into Wizards I fell in love with the group of guys that just accepted me with open arms. Duck laid out very simple rules and understood that I had no idea what I was doing. He told me in the beginning “ You will get out of this unit just as much as you put in”. With his leadership and skills I learned from firefighting make me challenge myself to learn about this unit and how to operate within it. What keeps me coming back is meeting new people from different parts of life, and challenging myself to be a leader and a role model for others. while pushing my fellow team members to excel at their jobs and take leadership roles themselves.

Any favorite/funny/memorable moment throughout your whole time in the unit? 

 During this operation we were on this observation point looking at trenches. Duck spotted a tank turret on a hilltop. We couldn't tell if it was operational or not but we decided to get SPC J.Koe to look at it with the MAAWs. Myself and Duck made the choice to instead of using Koe, we wanted to use a TOW launcher. Koe and I then looked away from the tank turret and guided the driver of the Humvee who was knocking down trees on his way up. At the time nobody saw the tank turret look at us. So I was standing next to Koe and talking to him when all of a sudden the whole screen went black and All I heard was the KAT medical sound of someone vomiting. When the smoke cleared I realized I was still alive and all of us were wandering in the woods to look for his dead body that got launched. It was just the fact he was standing there and him absorbing the tank shell with his mouth that just makes me laugh so hard. He definitely deserved the Purple heart

What army value is the most important to you and why? 

 Integrity. I feel that integrity is the most important value anyone could have. Being that guy people can come to and talk to about anything or always wanting to take on new challenges and responsibilities is very important to me. In this unit I try hard to keep morale up, by being honest and myself because It keeps people playing the game. In real life my officers trust me to do what's right. I will always own up to mistakes and doing what's right even if nobody’s looking is something I want people around me to see and do themselves.  

What motivates you to keep pushing forward in the unit and do you have any goals for the future within the unit? 

 So in real life I try really hard to learn new skills and help teach others the skills Ive learned. Good leadership is not something I'm used to so I strive to give everyone the opportunities I didn't have. Within this unit I'm able to apply those same fundamentals. I always sign up for classes so I can learn new things that this unit has to offer, and even if I have already done it I will do it again to set an example for people in my squad and unit. “ Asking your brothers to do stuff you wouldn't even do yourself is poor leadership” is something my chief told me and I will follow forever. Within this unit I want to grow and become a better leader for my squad and others around me. I also wanna become a drill sergeant so I can grow and become more useful in my teaching capabilities within FIG and real life.

Any valuable lessons you have learned while being in the unit?

Honestly its management skills. In Wizards we have a weight limit, and with that we have to balance each other's skills and equipment to do our jobs effectively. So managing that can be hard but I prefer it that way because everyone in the squad understands why we do it and why it's important to be fast and mobile. It also gives me the opportunity to play tactical Barbie with everyone's kits. Plus also managing people on the battlefield is a new challenge that I'm learning to solve. With learning this skill I'm able to apply this to my jobs in the future and ever as a Firefighter.