MACV Employee Spotlight – Sebastian Campbell Gandia
This week, we are featuring Sebastian Campbell Gandia.
Sebastian enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard as an 11B Infantryman in April 2015 and is still serving. He deployed in 2021 in support of Operation Spartan Shield in Kuwait and was part of the task force on the ground during the evacuation of Afghanistan in Kabul in August 2021. Since his return from deployment, he has been reclassified as an 88M motor transport operator. Sebastian currently serves as the Ammunition Squad Leader in a Forward Support Company in a distribution platoon.
Sebastian learned about MACV from a mentor and enjoys working here because he feels it has given him purpose and direction post-deployment in a way that he could never have anticipated. At MACV, Sebastian is a Housing Stability Case Manager in the Metro Region.
“Veterans are the last to ask for help, and it takes all sorts of prodding to get them to accept a hand up until the situation is dire. If people know of a Veteran that’s struggling, they need to facilitate getting them connected with MACV or the help they need as soon as possible before the situation gets out of hand. ” -Sebastian Campbell Gandia
Sebastian finds “talking and listening to all the different Veteran’s stories and experiences” the most rewarding part of his job at MACV.
Outside of MACV, Sebastian is highly active at his local VFW, the James Ballentine “Uptown” VFW Post #246, where he serves on the house committee and as the Junior Vice Commander.
Sebastian, we thank you for your service to our country and our community!