‘Your quarterback is your platoon commander’
January 5th, 2012 | Leadership Recruiting The Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps | Posted by Tony Lombardo
The Marine Corps hosted the inaugural Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl on Jan. 3 in Phoenix.
The competition pitted the East against the West in a game featuring 100 of the best high school football athletes from across the country.
On Jan. 4, official B-roll surfaced from the East’s locker room, revealing the pep talk given to players by Maj. Gen. Ronald Bailey, commander of 1st Marine Division, and Sgt. Maj. Mike Barrett, the Corps’ top enlisted Marine.
While the West would go on to beat the East, 17-14, Barrett had some strong words to pump the players up.
At about the 3 ½-minute mark, Barrett tells the team:
Your quarterback is your platoon commander. Do everything as a team. Everything you have …all your means…all your talents…all your fiber…leave it out on the battlefield today. Everything you have, leave it on the field today. You should walk back into this room at the end of the game with nothing left. If you can come in here and jack around and do nonsense, you did not give it all!”
In the West locker room, Brig. Gen. Joseph Osterman, commander of Marine Recruiting Command, and Sgt. Maj. Michael Logan, also of Recruiting Command, led the pep talk. Footage of their speech was not immediately available.
Video: The 236th Marine Corps Birthday Message
October 20th, 2011 | Afghanistan History and heritage Marjah The CMC The Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps Washington World War II Wounded warriors | Posted by Dan Lamothe
The Marine Corps Birthday is still a few weeks away, but the service extended one tradition tonight by posting its annual birthday video message.
Featuring narration by Commandant Gen. Jim Amos and Sgt. Maj. Mike Barrett, the Corps’ top enlisted Marine, it honors Marines everywhere, with special appreciation set aside for those who served in World War II and since the attacks on 9/11.
Watch it here:
The commandant and sergeant major filmed pieces of the message in New York City and in the Washington, D.C., area at both the World War II Memorial and the Pentagon. They also filmed part of it in Marjah, Afghanistan, on Sept. 11.
It’s a bit early yet, but happy birthday, Marines. In the meantime, check out some of these behind-the-scenes photographs the Corps released as the video was being filmed:
Commandant Gen. Jim Amos and Sgt. Maj. Mike Barrett, the Corps' top enlisted Marine, film part of the 2011 birthday message at the National War War II Memorial on July 28. (Photo by Lance Cp. Cody Fodale/Marine Corps)
Sgt. Maj. Barrett reviews birthday message remarks before filming part of the message Aug. 12 at the Pentagon. (Photo by Sgt. Christopher Green/Marine Corps)
The commandant and sergeant major prepare to be filmed on a building near Ground Zero in New York City. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Tia Dufour/Marine Corps)
Behind the Cover: The plan to cut the Marine Corps
August 15th, 2011 | Behind the Cover Capitol Hill Leadership Manpower The CMC The Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps | Posted by Dan Lamothe
For nearly a year, the Marine Corps’ top officials have stayed on message with two main points regarding manpower: A drawdown wouldn’t begin until after the war in Afghanistan, and it would reduce the service to 186,800 Marines.
Those points were reinforced early this year with the release of the Corps’ force-structure review recommendations. It called for a 13 percent reduction in ground combat forces, but stuck with that 186,800 end-strength figure.
It’s time for a reality check. In light of the nation’s financial trouble, that plan may not be feasible. In this week’s Marine Corps Times cover story, we outline what could happen instead, relying on interviews with top service officials, past reporting and a look at previous drawdowns.
Commandant Gen. Jim Amos acknowledges that force reductions could now begin as soon fiscal 2013, which begins next October. He and Sgt. Maj. Mike Barrett, the Corps’ top enlisted Marine, offer up their thoughts and advice to Marines, but acknowledge life in the Corps will soon be a whole lot more competitive.
To check the story out, pick up this week’s Marine Corps Times on newsstands. You also can read it online by subscribing here.
Behind the Cover: Sgt. Maj. Mike Barrett fires away
July 26th, 2011 | Behind the Cover Leadership The Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps | Posted by Dan Lamothe
Say this about the Marine Corps’ new top enlisted adviser: He certainly doesn’t mind calling things as he sees them.
That has become abundantly obvious since Sgt. Maj. Mike Barrett became the 17th sergeant major of the Marine Corps on June 9, taking over for retiring Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent. Barrett, a scout sniper, already has raised eyebrows in some corners, particularly with his blunt comments on the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy were published last month.
This week’s Marine Corps Times cover story includes more of that frank talk. In his first interview with our newspaper, Barrett discussed a variety of issues on the record last week, touching on everything from whether the Combat Fitness Test should be tougher to what it takes for Marines to be ready for combat.
He also outlined plans for the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Symposium, which will bring senior enlisted leaders from across the service together in Washington from Aug. 1 to Aug. 5.
The latest edition also includes expanded coverage of the White House decision to make Dakota Meyer the first living Marine to receive the Medal of Honor in 38 years. And, it outlines three big changes that will toughen the Corps’ enlisted-to-officer programs.
For more details, check the paper out on newsstands, or subscribe online here to read it now.
From high school friends to sergeants major
June 10th, 2011 | Afghanistan Leadership The Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps | Posted by Gina Cavallaro
KABUL, Afghanistan — Army Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill is not a household name among Marines, but his career has skyrocketed parallel to that of his long-time friend, Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent, who stepped down June 9 as sergeant major of the Marine Corps.
“I went to high school with Sgt. Maj. Kent, he’s a homeboy and a very close friend,” Hill said June 3 in his office at NATO headquarters, where he is the senior enlisted leader for International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan.
Translation: He is ISAF commander Army Gen. David Petraeus’ wingman, and has been for most of the past decade, making it to the highest echelons of the Army alongside one of the most prominent generals in a generation.
His friendship with Kent, Hill said, began in their hometown of Memphis, Tenn., where Hill enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1978, two years after Kent.
Over the past 15 years or so, as they moved up in their careers, Hill said, the two Memphians stayed in touch to share experiences, ideas, frustrations and lessons.
“He would call me nearly every week while I was serving as the command sergeant major for Multinational Force-Iraq. I could almost set my watch by it,” Hill said.
Now Hill is about to work for a Marine commander.
As Petraeus gets ready to retire from military service and become head of the Central Intelligence Agency, Hill has agreed to stay on the job for another year to work with incoming ISAF commander and first Marine to hold the top job in Afghanistan, Lt. Gen. John Allen.
“He asked me if I would stay and I told him absolutely, because it’s for the team and it helps with continuity,” said Hill, who turned down an opportunity to be a candidate for sergeant major of the Army to stay on in Afghanistan.
Hill and Allen are not strangers. They met in 2008 when Petraeus was commander of Central Command and Allen came on as deputy commander. Their wives are close friends.
Kent is moving on and though he and Hill will always be friends, Hill said, “I am going to miss him in uniform.”
Behind the Cover: Military benefits under fire
May 31st, 2011 | Behind the Cover budget Leadership The Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps | Posted by Dan Lamothe
This week’s Marine Corps Times cover story highlights an ongoing debate that could hit service members right where it counts: the wallet.
In a trio of stories, Pentagon correspondent Andrew Tilghman explores where cuts could be made to military benefits. Reductions to tuition assistance and pensions are possible, and military officials also are considering a partial pension for those who serve at least 10 years.
This week’s newspaper also offers three strong career stories for enlisted Marines. One focuses on promotion opportunities for sergeants, another looks at the Corps’ early-out program, and the third offers tips to Marines seeking their preferred special duty assignment.
Finally, we offer up a long-form feature this week exploring the personal relationship of Navy Cross recipient Jeremiah Workman and Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent, the Corps’ senior enlisted Marine. It’s the kind of story that Marines will hopefully tell again and again.
Behind the Cover: Corps-wide MMA contests
May 23rd, 2011 | Behind the Cover MCMAP Mixed marital arts The Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps | Posted by James Sanborn
UFC-style competition will likely be rolled out Corps-wide within a year, according to Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent. While Kent was clear that the final decision rests with the commandant, Marine officials are already in detailed meetings to discuss how an Army Combatives-style tournament system could be rolled out.
Early this year, Kent sent Sgt. Maj. Howard Long, the senior enlisted Marines at Training and Education Command at Quantico, Va., on a fact finding mission that took him to the U.S. Army Combatives School at Fort Benning, Ga. There the Army’s master trainer, Sgt. 1st Class Jason Martin, gave Long the run down on the Army combatives system and how they run their tournaments.
Marine officials have said they will model the Marine Corps’ tournament system after the Army’s which. That would mean Marines will be allowed to compete at the small unit level. The best fighters will advance to compete against other units and climb the latter in an effort to earn a spot at an annual all-Marine competition that will determine who are the Marine Corps’ best hand-to-hand fighters.
For the details pick up this week’s Marine Corps Times, on newsstands now, or subscribe here.
Sgt. Maj. Kent: Marines ‘are kicking ass’ at Warrior Games
May 20th, 2011 | General officers The CMC The Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps Wounded warriors | Posted by Dan Lamothe
The Marines celebrate Wednesday at the Warrior Games as the All-Marine team takes down a team of airmen in sitting volleyball. (Photo by Sgt. Michael S. Cifuentes)
The Wounded Warrior Regiment would not be denied.
Competing Wednesday in the Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., the All-Marine team swept the All-Air Force team in sitting volleyball. It already had dispatched the Army team a day earlier in the paralympic-style games, which are open to wounded, ill or injured service members.
If you’ve been reading Battle Rattle this week, you already know that Commandant Gen. Jim Amos and his wife, Bonnie, attended the event did the wave.
Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent, the Corps’ top enlisted Marine, also visited and offered some blunt motivation for the Marines, according to this Marine Corps news account:
“It’s clear the Marines are kicking ass here,” Kent said. “The Marines have created a new kind of warfighting legacy, it’s just off the battlefield, and everyone is proud of them. [The All-Marine team] have a tremendous amount of support coming from all over the Marine Corps, and their brothers and sisters in Afghanistan are truly proud of them.”
Roger that, sir.
After watching the volleyball matches, Amos and Kent reportedly caught the final round of an archery event. Amos presented a gold medal to Sgt. Daniel Govier, and a bronze medal to Sgt. Stephen Lunt.
Not surprisingly, the All-Marine shooting team also exceled at the Warrior Games, as this news story points out.
The commandant of the Marine Corps does the wave
May 19th, 2011 | General officers The CMC The Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps | Posted by Dan Lamothe
Commandant Gen. Jim Amos and his wife do the wave during a Wednesday volleyball match between Marines and airman at the 2011 Warrior Games. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Kayla Hermann)
Commandant Gen. Jim Amos and company sure know how to get around.
The Marine Corps’ top officer made a surprise visit Wednesday at the 2011 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo. Also present were his wife, Bonnie, and Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent, the Corps’ top enlisted adviser.
If the photograph above is any indication, the mood was light. The commandant and Bonnie Amos did the wave, even if Kent sat this round out. It happened during a sitting volleyball match between The Wounded Warrior Regiment All-Marine Team and a group of injured airman. The Warrior Games is a paralympic-style competition for wounded, ill or injured service members.
Just last week, Amos and Kent were in Afghanistan, visiting Marines in Regional Command-Southwest. It was Kent’s last tour of the country as senior enlisted adviser. He retires June 9.
Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent says farewell at I MEF
April 27th, 2011 | Camp Pendleton Leadership The Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps | Posted by Dan Lamothe
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent speaks to Marines at Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Tuesday. He retires June 9.
Cross another item off Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent’s list.
The Marine Corps’ senior enlisted Marine traveled to the West Coast this week for what could be the last time before he retires, speaking to Marines from I Marine Expeditionary Force and other commands.
A brief Marine Corps account of the trip is posted here. As noted in this recent Marine Corps Times feature on Kent, it’s no surprise he’s making the rounds as the clock ticks down on his time in the Corps.