thedrifter
07-18-09, 06:58 AM
'Semper Gumby;' Always Flexible
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms
Story by Lance Cpl. Michael Nerl
Date: 07.17.2009
Posted: 07.17.2009 12:35
MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER BRIDGEPORT, Calif. – Throughout the Marine Corps it is understood mission accomplishment is always the priority. Two Marines at Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport, Calif., take their mission of supporting training and those who support the training to a whole new level by filling the jobs normally done by many Marines.
Sgt. Mark D. Wade, a bulk fuel specialist from Ocean City, Md., and Lance Cpl. Mark Trullinger, a personnel clerk at MWTC's administrative center are two of the many Marines throughout the Marine Corps who shoulder their own responsibilities, as well as the responsibilities of many others to ensure MWTC continues to function.
"We're obviously really, really isolated up here in the mountains," said Wade, who is the only bulk fuel specialist aboard the base. "We don't get a lot of new Marines very often, but there's still a lot of training that goes on that we need to support.
"It's mostly stuff I was school-trained to do, but during the last two-and-a-half years I've been the only one working in fuels on the base," he said.
Wade said his duties cover normal bulk fuel jobs, as well as supporting civilian agencies.
"On top of what I normally do as a bulk fueler, I have to support the search and rescue missions in the eastern Sierra Nevadas," he said. "We are the only fuel point and airfield for miles, so we are required to support everything that came through here. Usually it means a search and rescue mission for lost hikers or kids."
Wade said while being on call all day every day to perform his duties as a bulk fuel specialist at the fuel station and the expeditionary airfield on the other side of the base, he has had only one major search and rescue mission.
Aside from the jobs associated with his military occupational specialty, Wade has multiple other responsibilities aboard the base far from what he was originally trained for.
"At one point in time I was doing a whole lot besides just working at the gas station," he said. "I have also filled in as the colors sergeant, the supply platoon sergeant, and when I finished the Formal Schools Instructor Course, I became an instructor for the Animal Packers Course too.
"I do a lot here," he said. "It's a small command and we have to make due with what we have."
Wade has proven himself to be flexible enough to adapt and make changes as the Marine Corps throws different challenges his way, but another Marine, Lance Cpl. Mark Trullinger, is just learning the meaning of being always flexible.
Trullinger, who is now the company clerk for the headquarters company aboard the base, takes on many duties outside his MOS.
"Anything you could think of I've done it here," the San Luis Obispo, Calif., native said. "I do every part of administration except for separations when I work at the S–1."
Trullinger's time on station has been spent doing his job and learning other jobs, which he takes over when other personnel are not present.
"I'm kind of a jack of all trades," Trullinger said. "I'm the company clerk too, which means I monitor and administrate the PFT [physical fitness test] and the CFT [combat fitness test] and run the remedial PT [physical training] and BCP [body composition program]."
Trullinger said in addition to administration and being the company clerk, he is learning another trade as the combat photographer for MWTC.
"I have no photo experience at all," he said. "I'm just learning the basics of taking promotion photos of Marines and photographing events aboard the base. I can learn anything. All I need to do is get told whatever it is and I'll figure it out."
Trullinger and Wade will continue to work hard until their End of Active Service dates, which will both occur by the end of the year. They are just two examples of the many Marines at MWTC and throughout the Marine Corps who are frequently called upon to perform tasks and fill billets not described under their normal duties.
Ellie
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms
Story by Lance Cpl. Michael Nerl
Date: 07.17.2009
Posted: 07.17.2009 12:35
MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER BRIDGEPORT, Calif. – Throughout the Marine Corps it is understood mission accomplishment is always the priority. Two Marines at Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport, Calif., take their mission of supporting training and those who support the training to a whole new level by filling the jobs normally done by many Marines.
Sgt. Mark D. Wade, a bulk fuel specialist from Ocean City, Md., and Lance Cpl. Mark Trullinger, a personnel clerk at MWTC's administrative center are two of the many Marines throughout the Marine Corps who shoulder their own responsibilities, as well as the responsibilities of many others to ensure MWTC continues to function.
"We're obviously really, really isolated up here in the mountains," said Wade, who is the only bulk fuel specialist aboard the base. "We don't get a lot of new Marines very often, but there's still a lot of training that goes on that we need to support.
"It's mostly stuff I was school-trained to do, but during the last two-and-a-half years I've been the only one working in fuels on the base," he said.
Wade said his duties cover normal bulk fuel jobs, as well as supporting civilian agencies.
"On top of what I normally do as a bulk fueler, I have to support the search and rescue missions in the eastern Sierra Nevadas," he said. "We are the only fuel point and airfield for miles, so we are required to support everything that came through here. Usually it means a search and rescue mission for lost hikers or kids."
Wade said while being on call all day every day to perform his duties as a bulk fuel specialist at the fuel station and the expeditionary airfield on the other side of the base, he has had only one major search and rescue mission.
Aside from the jobs associated with his military occupational specialty, Wade has multiple other responsibilities aboard the base far from what he was originally trained for.
"At one point in time I was doing a whole lot besides just working at the gas station," he said. "I have also filled in as the colors sergeant, the supply platoon sergeant, and when I finished the Formal Schools Instructor Course, I became an instructor for the Animal Packers Course too.
"I do a lot here," he said. "It's a small command and we have to make due with what we have."
Wade has proven himself to be flexible enough to adapt and make changes as the Marine Corps throws different challenges his way, but another Marine, Lance Cpl. Mark Trullinger, is just learning the meaning of being always flexible.
Trullinger, who is now the company clerk for the headquarters company aboard the base, takes on many duties outside his MOS.
"Anything you could think of I've done it here," the San Luis Obispo, Calif., native said. "I do every part of administration except for separations when I work at the S–1."
Trullinger's time on station has been spent doing his job and learning other jobs, which he takes over when other personnel are not present.
"I'm kind of a jack of all trades," Trullinger said. "I'm the company clerk too, which means I monitor and administrate the PFT [physical fitness test] and the CFT [combat fitness test] and run the remedial PT [physical training] and BCP [body composition program]."
Trullinger said in addition to administration and being the company clerk, he is learning another trade as the combat photographer for MWTC.
"I have no photo experience at all," he said. "I'm just learning the basics of taking promotion photos of Marines and photographing events aboard the base. I can learn anything. All I need to do is get told whatever it is and I'll figure it out."
Trullinger and Wade will continue to work hard until their End of Active Service dates, which will both occur by the end of the year. They are just two examples of the many Marines at MWTC and throughout the Marine Corps who are frequently called upon to perform tasks and fill billets not described under their normal duties.
Ellie