Vivianlee Aguero is a lance corporal in the United States Marine Corps. At 17 she enlisted as an embarkation specialist from her home in Guam. She is currently attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, the 31st MEU provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance, throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Photo by Cpl. Jonah Baase

VMM-265 Embarkation Marine lives in the details

6 Dec 2017 | Lance Cpl. Jonah Baase The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN --

“I love putting all of my effort into my job because I can see it in the product,” said Lance Cpl. Vivianlee Aguero. “Staying motivated and pushing through the busiest work times is the most satisfying feeling once it’s done.”

Aguero is an embarkation specialist with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. She was born in Guam and lived there until her family moved to the United States when she was two years old. At the age of 17 she completed high school, moved back to Guam and enlisted in the Marine Corps.

“I joined because I wanted to see the world,” Aguero said. “Okinawa is my first duty station and there are so many places you can travel to from here.”
Aguero’s first deployment was aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) with the 31st MEU during Fall Patrol 2017. During the deployment, the 31st MEU participated in Talisman Saber 17— a U.S.-Australian bilateral exercise held every two years.

“There was always something that needed to get done,” Aguero said. “You really get to understand how high the operational tempo is and gain a lot of experience on the job.”

During the deployment, she volunteered for extra duty shifts to fill free time which she called ‘empty space’, according to Cpl. Edward Moskos, an embarkation specialist with VMM-265 (Rein.) and a coworker of Aguero’s.

“She always gets the job done and looks for more to do,” Moskos said. “She’s always busy and hates having downtime.”
During her time in Okinawa, Aguero consistently reviews her completed work and seeks guidance to improve.

“She has a sharp mind,” Moskos said. “She can look at every fine detail in scheduling and ensure there are no complications during mission execution.”
Aguero hopes to travel back to Guam and visit the loved ones that cultivated her meticulousness. In the meantime, she plans on enjoying the island of Okinawa and influencing the Marines around her with a positive attitude.

“I put my heart into everything I do,” Aguero said. “I love helping others. When I see their success, it motivates me.”