Maintenance Marines Perform High-octane Mission
1st Marine Logistic Group Public Affairs
Story by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank
Date: 07.14.2009
Posted: 07.14.2009 03:21


MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – There's no "I" in team, but there's teamwork in Motor Transport Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group.

Motor Transport Maintenance Company uses teamwork on a daily basis to take care of the Marines and increase work productivity.

"We're here to take care of each other," said Cpl. Aleta A. Ammerman, 21, from Crawfordsville, Ind., a diesel mechanic with MTM Company "If someone needs help, the Marines will jump in and offer it."

The third echelon maintenance shop replaces main components in vehicles ranging from engines to transmissions. The Marines work as a team installing parts to get the vehicles back to their units. Not too long before the Marines start working, they're welcomed to the company during a shop gathering after work.

"Once a quarter the shop has a party to welcome the new Marines and say farewell to the ones leaving," said Gunnery Sgt. Covid L. Hackshaw, staff non-commissioned officer in charge, 2nd Platoon, MTM Company. "The new Marines get to see the respect and admiration the shop has for the ones getting out."

The MTM shop conducts these events at the bowling alley on base or at Lake O'Neil. When the Marines are at the lake, they usually cookout and play a team sport such as football, volleyball or softball.

"We play sections versus sections," said Cpl. Richie T. Mejia, the hazardous materials non-commissioned officer with MTM Company. "The winner has bragging rights and proof that they're the best."

While playing the competitive sport, the MTM Marines use teamwork to coordinate a plan to reach a common goal, defeat the opponent and win the game.

"The Marines here have a lot of pride in this company," said Staff Sgt. Brian J. Zadrozny, 31, from Chicago, the company gunnery sergeant of MTM Company. "This allows them to feel more part of a team."

After the Marines get done playing a sport during the shop functions, they don't leave the cohesion they used at the field.

"We take our teamwork from the sports field to the shop," said Mejia, 21, from Sedro-Woolley, Wash. "Everything we do involves teamwork."

One Marine could work on the transmission and another one on the engine to fix the same vehicle at an increased pace.

The MTM Marines work together in being more proficient when fixing vehicles. This makes the process faster and easier on them.

"At times, this job can be monotonous and boring," said Hackshaw, 40, from Camber Heights, N.Y. "Some days the Marines are fixing the same problems on vehicles over and over again."

Hackshaw stated that they commonly are replacing blown engines with new ones on Humvees.

The teamwork MTM Marines use effects the whole Marine Corps. By them completing their mission, other Marines can complete theirs.

"Teamwork allows our mission accomplishments and keeps I MEF combat ready," said Chief Warrant Officer Lorenzo A. Townsend, the company commander of MTM Company. Townsend, 49, from Killeen, Texas, stated that the Marines are motivated to deploy and ready for when the call comes down; Afghanistan is their next calling.

Ellie