MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent dropped in on the air station to motivate troops and discuss the future of the Corps Thursday.
The stop was one of the last legs of a tour taking Kent to meet and greet service members from Okinawa to Muchuk, South Korea. Although a hectic schedule and limited time in Iwakuni kept him constantly moving, the sergeant major showed no signs of slowing down while enthusiastically interacting with the Marines and sailors.
“His main focus was to get in front of as many Marines as possible,” said Gunnery Sgt. Teresa Arroyo, III Marine Expeditionary Force protocol chief and native of Freeport, Texas. “It’s been a grueling schedule going from one event to the other, but that was the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps’ intent.”
After being greeted by station Commanding Officer, Col. Michael A. Dyer, and several units’ sergeants major at the air terminal, Kent wasted no time in getting to the Combat Logistics Company 36 headquarters building to shake hands and talk to the Marines hard at work.
“I think it was a great opportunity for him to come out and see what Iwakuni is all about, especially CLC-36, since we are one of the smaller companies here,” said 1st Sgt. David M. Leikwold, company first sergeant and San Fernando Valley, Calif., native. “He showed a lot of interest in the Marines’ jobs and asked a lot of questions.”
During stops at Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Kent spoke to groups of Marines and sailors and thanked them for their service.
“I came out here today for two reasons: first, because I had to get the hell out of (Washington) D.C.,” joked Kent breaking the ice and putting the warriors at ease.
“Second, I came here to let you know that you’re not forgotten out here,” he added. “You are doing great things for the nation and being here you’re on the tip of the spear.”
During his speeches, the sergeant major made it a point to dispel several rumors, including one regarding the Marine Corps’ negative attitude towards tattoos.
“The Commandant doesn’t have anything against tattoos,” Kent said. “If he did, I wouldn’t be the 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, because I have four.”
While visiting MWSS-171, Kent took a moment to meet a group of Marines deploying to Iraq. Several younger service members were impressed the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps would take time out of his schedule to talk to them about their upcoming duties.
“We started out yelling the sergeant major’s name in boot camp and now we’re actually meeting him, so that’s pretty great,” said Lance Cpl. Daniel Piccolo, MWSS-171 motor transport operator and Lyndenhurst, N.Y., native.
Piccolo, who will soon depart for Iraq, appreciated the sergeant major’s insights on what our troops are doing in the Middle East.
“Knowing that even he has family over there was reassuring,” Piccolo said.
After a brief meeting at the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting barn, Kent proceeded to a packed Sakura Theater to deliver his message in which he stressed the importance of noncommissioned officer leadership.
“NCO’s are truly the backbone of our Marine Corps,” said Kent. “You can not let us lose the trust and confidence we have in you.”
“Leaders, take care of your warriors in more ways than one,” he added. “Keep them physically fit, mentally fit and combat-ready.”
Before departing, Kent stressed one last point –all Marines, regardless of age or rank, should act accordingly in keeping with the Corps’ high standards
“A Marine is a Marine is a Marine,” Kent said. “There’s no such thing as the ‘Old Corps’ or ‘new Corps’ – it’s all the same.”