thedrifter
05-19-06, 07:36 AM
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (May 18, 2006) -- Some Marines go through the Marine Corps and simply slide by day to day performing the bare essentials. There are other servicemembers, however, who take pride in their work and perform to the best they can which keeps them away from the generalization of being lazy or incapable of performing.
Administrative Marines like Sgt. Michael R. Albin, the staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge for the Deployed Support Administration Section, Service Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, routinely ensures Marines within his respective unit have continuous administrative support.
“My workload during the day used to keep me busy by helping Marines with their money situations, keeping up-to-date training records among other administrative duties,” Albin explained. “Since I was promoted, I have been given a lot more responsibility over the work horses in my (work section).”
Albin was meritoriously promoted to his current rank May 2, which ultimately upped his daily tasks. He earned the rank of sergeant because he was more proficient than the other corporals who went through a meritorious promotions board where they were judged in tact, Marine Corps knowledge, uniform appearance and overall confidence.
“Personally, I haven’t noticed too much of a change,” he said modestly. “I just wear the rank now that’s (commensurate with) my duties.”
Although he has merely six months left of his first enlistment, he plans to continue pushing his weight until he reaches his end of active service.
“There is no reason to drop the ball after becoming proficient in this job,” Albin said. “The Marine Corps is not known for laziness. And I don’t want to be remembered for it either.”
Albin, as well as many other servicemembers who raised their right hands at a Military Entrance Processing Station after Sept. 11, 2001, joined not because of his recruiter, but because of a greater understanding that his country was in a time of need.
Albins’ parents had mixed feelings when he made his mind up to sign the dotted line to join the “few and the proud.”
“My mother was hesitant, at first, about my enlistment during a time of war, but she’s always supported my decisions,” he said. “My dad on the other hand was more than pleased because he was a Marine himself. He’s the one whose footsteps I wouldn’t mind following because he is not only a great man, but a great father.”
Albin placed his feet on the famed yellow footprints of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego during December 2002, and explained his experience was just like that of any other recruit who was ripped from the bosom of everything he has ever known and thrown into a whole other world of devoted men and women.
Shortly thereafter, he attended the Personnel Administration School at Camp Johnson, N.C., where he learned correspondence, terminology and the basic structure of how the administrative side of the Marine Corps operates.
“The school gives you a rough background of the (military occupation specialty),” he explained. “The field is so diverse that on the job training is the only way to effectively learn your job.”
His first duty station was Camp Foster in Okinawa, Japan. This was an opportune place to hone not only his occupation, but also his basic understanding of how Marines conduct themselves outside a training environment.
“The experience was amazing and I’d go back if I had a second chance,” Albin said. “I was surrounded by some outstanding (noncommissioned officers) and took advantage of every opportunity to learn from them.”
After serving a year overseas, he changed duty stations to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he discovered that his new unit operated much differently from his previous one.
“Working in Okinawa was like working with family,” he said. “Everyone was far away from their families and friends which meant we spent more time together which reflected into us being a closely knit shop. Luckily, my current shop is full of some excellent Marines which makes my job enjoyable.”
Although living close to the ocean in North Carolina is comfortable, it is nothing compared to being back with friends and family in Nebraska, regardless if cornfields are in abundance no matter where you drive, Albin said.
Once he leaves the Corps, Albin plans on finishing college in Nebraska.
Albin explained that it will be nice to be near home again, however, he does not take his experiences in the Corps for granted.
“If there is anything I have learned it is pride. Personal conduct, appearance and work performance are a direct reflection of a Marine’s amount of pride,” Albin said. “A great amount of satisfaction can be gained from knowing you’ve done a job well. Maybe it’s simply my Nebraskan work ethic or the way my parents raised me. Regardless, I always take pride in my work and what I have done.”
Ellie
Administrative Marines like Sgt. Michael R. Albin, the staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge for the Deployed Support Administration Section, Service Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, routinely ensures Marines within his respective unit have continuous administrative support.
“My workload during the day used to keep me busy by helping Marines with their money situations, keeping up-to-date training records among other administrative duties,” Albin explained. “Since I was promoted, I have been given a lot more responsibility over the work horses in my (work section).”
Albin was meritoriously promoted to his current rank May 2, which ultimately upped his daily tasks. He earned the rank of sergeant because he was more proficient than the other corporals who went through a meritorious promotions board where they were judged in tact, Marine Corps knowledge, uniform appearance and overall confidence.
“Personally, I haven’t noticed too much of a change,” he said modestly. “I just wear the rank now that’s (commensurate with) my duties.”
Although he has merely six months left of his first enlistment, he plans to continue pushing his weight until he reaches his end of active service.
“There is no reason to drop the ball after becoming proficient in this job,” Albin said. “The Marine Corps is not known for laziness. And I don’t want to be remembered for it either.”
Albin, as well as many other servicemembers who raised their right hands at a Military Entrance Processing Station after Sept. 11, 2001, joined not because of his recruiter, but because of a greater understanding that his country was in a time of need.
Albins’ parents had mixed feelings when he made his mind up to sign the dotted line to join the “few and the proud.”
“My mother was hesitant, at first, about my enlistment during a time of war, but she’s always supported my decisions,” he said. “My dad on the other hand was more than pleased because he was a Marine himself. He’s the one whose footsteps I wouldn’t mind following because he is not only a great man, but a great father.”
Albin placed his feet on the famed yellow footprints of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego during December 2002, and explained his experience was just like that of any other recruit who was ripped from the bosom of everything he has ever known and thrown into a whole other world of devoted men and women.
Shortly thereafter, he attended the Personnel Administration School at Camp Johnson, N.C., where he learned correspondence, terminology and the basic structure of how the administrative side of the Marine Corps operates.
“The school gives you a rough background of the (military occupation specialty),” he explained. “The field is so diverse that on the job training is the only way to effectively learn your job.”
His first duty station was Camp Foster in Okinawa, Japan. This was an opportune place to hone not only his occupation, but also his basic understanding of how Marines conduct themselves outside a training environment.
“The experience was amazing and I’d go back if I had a second chance,” Albin said. “I was surrounded by some outstanding (noncommissioned officers) and took advantage of every opportunity to learn from them.”
After serving a year overseas, he changed duty stations to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he discovered that his new unit operated much differently from his previous one.
“Working in Okinawa was like working with family,” he said. “Everyone was far away from their families and friends which meant we spent more time together which reflected into us being a closely knit shop. Luckily, my current shop is full of some excellent Marines which makes my job enjoyable.”
Although living close to the ocean in North Carolina is comfortable, it is nothing compared to being back with friends and family in Nebraska, regardless if cornfields are in abundance no matter where you drive, Albin said.
Once he leaves the Corps, Albin plans on finishing college in Nebraska.
Albin explained that it will be nice to be near home again, however, he does not take his experiences in the Corps for granted.
“If there is anything I have learned it is pride. Personal conduct, appearance and work performance are a direct reflection of a Marine’s amount of pride,” Albin said. “A great amount of satisfaction can be gained from knowing you’ve done a job well. Maybe it’s simply my Nebraskan work ethic or the way my parents raised me. Regardless, I always take pride in my work and what I have done.”
Ellie