Overview:
An orphan from the war and has learned to live for himself, he was a drifter who often takes advantages of a favorable situation with his ingenuity (like to hold-up an unsuspecting MS pilot by just using a flash bomb and a rope, or sneaking out of his cell using a lockpick and sleeping powder). In the first episode, it was hinted that Garrod was rather reluctant to try his hand as a MS pilot despite the fact that he was very knowledgeable with mecha,  as he later told that his home was destroyed by Mobile Suits. Although he tends to overprice his goods (as well as his services I bet), money obviously has no strong hold over him. He can switch sides easily if his instinct  tells him otherwise regarding his customers. As a Gundam pilot, he was a master of adaptability, meaning that he learns more quickly than an average pilot in any environment (be it space, ocean, and ice). His uncanny resilience compensates with the fact that he was not a Newtype (like Amuro Ray or Camille Vidan), nor was he drilled since childhood in the life of warfare (like Heero Yuy). Garrod was also active and athletic (very healthy kid), he also had a strong tolerance to physical pain.


Personality:
Surprisingly, Garrod does not follow the path of a traditional Gundam pilot like his predecessors (a young man with hidden angst or past. Issues with his family, authority and self). He was very optimistic, cheerful, a bit more on the stubborn side (doesn't stay down no matter how hard he was kicked) and being very reckless: he was the type of person who'd shoot first then ask later (although he doesn't do that all the time). He also tends to be very suspicious to people and may yet take some time in his part to genuinely trust them.

In fact, he was a very normal kid (probably the normal Gundam pilot next to Chris and Judo). As a friend, he was a loyal, very dedicated individual who will stand by your side even until the bitter end. As an enemy… well, let's just say you wouldn't want him to become your enemy.

He was also hopelessly in love with Tifa Adil (I'm glad these two didn't wind up in an intricate complex love triangle), and as a boy who experienced it for the first time (I don't think courting was one of the skills he learned while living in the streets), he tends to be clumsy and unsure whenever he wants to show his affection towards her. But despite that, he was very warm and protective, who appreciates a good laugh or two (just don't tease him ^^!). 


Past (as stated in Episode 2):
Garrod's father was a mechanic for the Federation and was killed during the War. His mother's fate is unknown, however, as he never mentioned anything about her (it is safe to assume that she also died as well). His earliest memory was that he grew up during the nuclear winter and in darkness,  as it had literally taken years for the sun to shine again. It was obviously a very difficult time for him, as most of his friends died in the duration of that unnatural calamity. When he was old enough, Garrod wanted to work as a mechanic, realizing that he has a knack on machinery like his father before him. While he was away, he later heard news that a group of rogue MS pilots destroyed his hometown (most likely for plunder).

With nothing else to return to, he goes from place to place trying to stay alive and living in seclusion. It had probably took him a couple of years, learning the ways to live in the streets, carrying (and shooting) a gun, lock-picking, and stealing  useful, expensive items, before that fateful day when he sneaked into the Freeden.

Why Him?
As promised, an explanation on why I chose Garrod, of all GX characters, to create a shrine to. It was because he endeared himself to me. He'd make a monkey out of himself in some occasions to lighten up the mood, but lets the hard experiences he underwent to improve himself. Whether in a fight, or his own relationship with others. Unlike some other love struck anime characters (whom I will not identify), he does not spend the whole 39 episodes obsessing about Tifa or murmuring her name. He shows genuine concern for her and spends considerable time for her to allow their friendship to grow into something more. In such a way that their relationship was actually believable. His immaturity and growth, his hatred and love, his impulsiveness and understanding. All of these were shown in Garrod's personality in the series. A character of many contradictions, but one who could identify to someone else. And I guess that would be my reason...