Marines and Sailors from Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group commemorated the one year anniversary of the unit’s designation as a command during a ceremony aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story Jan. 28. ,
Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group is a unit still in its infancy that specializes in providing conventional training and advisory teams to work alongside partner Nations' security forces.
“MCTAG was officially formed as a command one year ago on January 1, 2010, said Col. Christopher R. McCarthy, commanding officer of MCTAG. “The command continues to grow and is establishing itself in the Marine Corps as the lead Security Force Assistance unit in the Corps.”
In the past year, the unit has nearly doubled in size and has contributed on an every-day basis to the training and mentoring of host nation security forces throughout globe.
“MCTAG is a small unit, but it is a small unit that can have a large impact on global stability just like one good Marine can have a large impact on an entire unit, said McCarthy who is a graduate of Old Dominion University.”
The main highlight of the ceremony was the addition of two campaign streamers to the official battle colors of the unit.
One of the streamers was the National Defense Service Medal, which recognizes honorable active service of a member of the Armed Forces or command during periods of conflict.
The second streamer was the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, which was created by an executive order that recognizes service members and commands in the Armed Forces who have performed in direct support of the Global War on Terrorism since Sept. 11, 2001.
“It is important to take the time to uphold tradition and reflect on where we come from by having ceremonies like this,” exclaimed McCarthy to the formation of Marines and Sailors. “It is also a time to get excited about the future and what it holds for the unit. This is the year of MCTAG.”