U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii -- U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii – When walking down the hallways at MARFORPAC, a junior Marine might feel intimidated by all the stars, bars and chevrons on the collars of senior officers and enlisted personnel here.
That feeling is immediately cast aside, though, when Master Gunnery Sgt. Mike F. Phillip pats you on the back and gives a motivating “oorahh.”
Phillip, the MARFORPAC Communications Branch operations chief, retired today, concluding more than 30 years of service to the Corps, most of which was spent dedicated to mentoring and guiding junior Marines and youth either on the drill field, in his office or through volunteering in the community.
His many accomplishments in the Marine Corps, give Phillip the ability to use his experience to help guide junior Marines in many different ways.
Phillip has held many boxing titles during his career. He was an All-Marine Boxing Champion, Golden Gloves Champion, California State Champion and he was a member of the U.S. boxing team for certain events.
He took his passion for boxing and started coaching some of the Marines from his office and some youth outside of the military. He also coaches track, and has volunteered his time for the past ten years to the Special Olympics.
Another achievement he’s had in the Marine Corps was two tours on the drill field. During his first tour he went from drill instructor to series gunnery sergeant, and during his second, because of his skill and knowledge of drill, he became a regimental drillmaster.
“I was made to be a drill instructor,” said Phillip.
Phillip’s competitive spirit and achievements in boxing, coaching and on the drill field play a big part in his relationships with young people.
Phillip has led by example maintaining a perfect physical fitness test average for most of his career. Phillip likes to challenge his Marines through PT.
“Master Guns would come to PT with our shop, when it was only required of sergeants and below,” said Lance Cpl. John Chang, an information technology procurer, MARFORPAC G-6.
“He would use that to show us how to lead by example.”
“It’s lonely at the top,” said Phillip. “I like being down in the trenches with my young Marines because of the spirit of competition. If they have a 290 for the PFT, I can come back and say, well I have a 294.”
“The Marine Corps is my family, and young Marines are my motivation,” he continued.
Phillip and a junior Marine in his office would challenge each other all the time.
“We would be sitting across from each other, and Master Guns would say he could out run me on the PFT, but I knew I could smoke him sprinting,” said Chang.
“He would even give advice about women, how to be successful in the Marine Corps and life in the fleet,” he continued.
“He would tell me that you don’t have to be the smartest Marine to be successful in the Marine Corps,” said Chang. “(You just have to) know how to network with your fellow Marines and accomplish the mission.”
Phillip would also take time out of his schedule to listen to a Marine’s problems.
“Every time I would have a personal or financial problem he would (take) a few minutes just to listen and try and understand my situation,” said Lance Cpl. Diego A. Rodriguez, an administration clerk, MARFORPAC G-6.
Even though he’s leaving the military, Phillip still plans on involving himself with guiding young people.
“When I get out, I plan on teaching at a high school (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) program on the East Coast,” said Phillip.
His career in the Marine Corps is coming to a close, but his willingness and ability to lead and mentor youth will go on.