Master Gunnery Sgt. Maurice Patterson was appointed as squadron sergeant major of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 during a post-and-relief ceremony at the multipurpose activity center dome here June 11.
Patterson succeeded Sgt. Maj. James Kirkland, who has been the MALS-12 sergeant major for the past three years.
Kirkland said his time as the MALS-12 sergeant major was a heck of a ride and that he would miss every single person he was leaving behind.
Kirkland is slated to report for duty as the Recruiting Station Twin Cities station sergeant major, 9th Marine Corps Recruiting District at Fort Snelling, Minn.
“I will carry on the legacy of Sergeant Major Kirkland,” said Patterson. “He set the bar, and he set it high.”
Patterson, whose prior assignment was serving as the MALS-12 aviation supply chief, joined the Marine Corps in July 1980.
During his 29 years of service, Patterson has held posts as a noncommissioned officer-in-charge, staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, company first sergeant, and has deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Patterson said he felt honored to be selected as the MALS-12 sergeant major.