DVIDS – News – FACES of MCIPAC

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Four U.S. Marines stationed on Camp Foster share their tales and aspirations throughout Black History Month on Feb. 22.

The month of February is designated as Black History Month to acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans all through American historical past. Ever because the first African American Marine joined Marine Corps at Montford Point in 1942, they’ve achieved each rank from non-public to common, leaving their mark on the Marine Corps.

Pfc. Eugene Jackson, an administrative specialist, Lance Cpl. Camron Foreman, a knowledge techniques engineer, Cpl. Eric Williams, a motor transport operator, and Sgt. Bejan Pazoki, a navy police officer, all maintain completely different professions inside the Marine Corps and have come from numerous backgrounds. However, these Marines all share one widespread objective: bettering the lives of the Marines round them.

Each of these Marines grew up in numerous cultures and areas inside the U.S., however what introduced all of them to the identical warfighting drive was their eager for self-enchancment.

“I knew I didn’t want to go to college, I wanted to expose myself to the world and experience new challenges,” stated Pazoki. “You see these videos of Marines from the past who have done incredible things, and it pushed me toward wanting something more from life.”

Pazoki, a local of Connecticut, performed lacrosse extensively and has carried his lively life-style over to his navy profession at Provost Marshal’s Office, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, the place he now serves as half of the Special Reaction Team.

Alternatively, Williams grew up within the cities of Pennsylvania working a number of completely different jobs. While his geographical location and background was completely different, his motive for enlisting goes hand in hand with Pazoki’s.

“Growing up in the city environment caused me to develop tunnel vision, and at some point, I realized I wanted a change,” stated Williams. “After meeting so many people of different backgrounds and experiencing a new culture in Japan, my outlook on life has changed drastically.”

Both Marines now maintain management positions mentoring junior Marines of their respective models. Pazoki is a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor and was entrusted with mentoring Marines in fight proficiency. Williams holds the billets of operations chief and squad chief in his platoon with third Landing Support Battalion, third Marine Logistics Group.

“A win for me is whenever I’ve made an impact in my Marines,” stated Williams. “Whether it’s if I’m asked to pin someone for promotion or attend their graduation, I get to see a change in the work ethic or behavior.”

Pazoki’s similar ardour for main Marines has left him wanting to attain extra. At the tip of this yr, he’ll journey to Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Parris Island to turn into a drill teacher.

“The Marine Corps has shown me so much already these last four years, and I want to share that with Marines that I encounter, old or young,” stated Pazoki. “But I want to teach at a higher level and making Marines at the drill field will help me achieve that.”

Regardless of rank, all Marines possess the flexibility to steer and encourage others. But earlier than entering into the footwear of greater ranks, each Marine will be taught to play a smaller position inside their very own models.

Lance Cpl. Camron Foreman, who works with third Network Battalion, Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command, grew up in Arkansas in a Christian family and was closely concerned in his neighborhood. Some of his hobbies included drawing, martial arts, and sports activities.

“Typically, I wouldn’t use the word service, I just feel that helping people drives me to be a better person,” stated Foreman. “It just keeps the wheel from being stagnant and the trickledown effect that everyone gets better one way or another.”

Foreman’s acts of service could be attributed to his involvement in his neighborhood and his non secular roots. Growing up and enjoying sports activities, his worth of teamwork carried over to the Marine Corps and his understanding of roles inside a unit. While coaching for his Military Occupational Specialty in California, Foreman remembers a time the place the concept of a staff performs a vital position in others’ successes. He and his classmates had been tasked with a full physique exercise with various coaching tools, and the occasion culminated with a steep hill dubbed ‘Sugar Cookie.’

“We had been training for three hours at this point and some started to give up on themselves, but we understood that if one of us failed, we all failed,” stated Foreman. “We were only as strong as our weakest link, so at that point we knew everyone had to make it.”

Jackson, who additionally works in third Network Battalion, grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. His want to embody and achieve all the pieces as a Marine has led to a mix of management and teamwork.

“The area that I came from wasn’t the best environment to grow up in,” stated Jackson. “I just knew I wanted to be stronger, smarter, and wiser, and the Marine Corps is helping me work on those attributes.”

Jackson attributes his drive and success so removed from his unwavering motivation. He describes his motivation as a cup that’s by no means empty.

“My cup is overflowing, and if you have such an abundance of something, why not share it with everyone around you,” stated Jackson. “Sometimes Marines will be in dark places and all they need is a brother to check up on them.”

Although Jackson is the second enlisted rank within the Marine Corps, he takes initiative to all the time put together himself for the following step. Starting all the best way as a civilian, he remained within the delayed entry program for just one week. During Marine Corps Boot Camp and Marine Combat Training, he held the positions of a squad chief. Shortly after arriving at his first responsibility station, he has already met the utmost necessities because the rank above him by finishing his skilled navy training and incomes his inexperienced belt of Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.

During their discussions of Black History Month, these Marines concluded that it wasn’t one singular determine of the previous or current that helped them turn into the folks they’re at the moment. Many Marines of all races, religions, backgrounds, helped form their targets and experiences. Whether it was a youthful junior enlisted Marine who they noticed change below their care, or an older Marine who confirmed them the ropes once they had been new, these 4 Marines have trekked their very own paths based mostly on the Marines that they encountered on their journeys.