thedrifter
01-19-09, 05:49 AM
Marines expect business as usual from new commander in chief
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January 18, 2009 - 4:37 PM
JENNIFER HLAD
The country's servicemen and women will get a new commander in chief Tuesday.
But despite the difference in politics between President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, not much is likely to change for individual service members.
"As America's force in readiness, we're going to be answering the call," regardless of who is in office, said Master Sgt. Glen LeMire, the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons chief for the 2nd Marine Divison.
"In any branch of the service ... regardless of who is in office, the same thing's going to always apply: He's the commander in chief," LeMire said.
The message is reflected in the Marine Corps oath of enlistment, in which Marines swear to "obey the orders of the President of the United States."
Master Gunnery Sgt. Freddie McDonald, material readiness chief for 2nd Marine Logistics Group, has been in the Marine Corps nearly 30 years. Any time there is a change of administration in the White House, he said, there are some concerns - such as whether the force will expand or shrink. But the job stays the same, McDonald said.
"We have a mission. If the president says march, you've got to march," he said.
Any changes made at the top would take time to trickle down, said Pfc. Layton Bankston, financial management resource analyst for Combat Logistics Regiment 27. And while the commander in chief is changing, the commandant, sergeant major and other Marine Corps leadership will remain the same, he said.
"In a time of war, I wouldn't expect any major restructuring," Bankston said. "All of our jobs will still be the same. ... The daily reports still have to be pulled."
LeMire said service members do wonder what will change with the new administration, and how it will impact them. But in talking to other staff noncommissioned officers, he said, the general consensus is that they are just looking forward to seeing what happens.
Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467.
Ellie
Comments 1 | Recommend 1
January 18, 2009 - 4:37 PM
JENNIFER HLAD
The country's servicemen and women will get a new commander in chief Tuesday.
But despite the difference in politics between President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, not much is likely to change for individual service members.
"As America's force in readiness, we're going to be answering the call," regardless of who is in office, said Master Sgt. Glen LeMire, the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons chief for the 2nd Marine Divison.
"In any branch of the service ... regardless of who is in office, the same thing's going to always apply: He's the commander in chief," LeMire said.
The message is reflected in the Marine Corps oath of enlistment, in which Marines swear to "obey the orders of the President of the United States."
Master Gunnery Sgt. Freddie McDonald, material readiness chief for 2nd Marine Logistics Group, has been in the Marine Corps nearly 30 years. Any time there is a change of administration in the White House, he said, there are some concerns - such as whether the force will expand or shrink. But the job stays the same, McDonald said.
"We have a mission. If the president says march, you've got to march," he said.
Any changes made at the top would take time to trickle down, said Pfc. Layton Bankston, financial management resource analyst for Combat Logistics Regiment 27. And while the commander in chief is changing, the commandant, sergeant major and other Marine Corps leadership will remain the same, he said.
"In a time of war, I wouldn't expect any major restructuring," Bankston said. "All of our jobs will still be the same. ... The daily reports still have to be pulled."
LeMire said service members do wonder what will change with the new administration, and how it will impact them. But in talking to other staff noncommissioned officers, he said, the general consensus is that they are just looking forward to seeing what happens.
Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467.
Ellie