Two generations of Hollings serve together on Okinawa

[thedrifter]

CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA, Japan —A platoon of new Marines from Company F, 2nd Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., marched across a parade deck in Oct. 2008.

The reviewing officer, a sergeant major, proudly watched the graduation unfold. While he admired the Marines and their snap and pop, the sergeant major found himself looking for one young Marine in particular. One who he knew would have a little more snap and pop than the rest.

This was a special occasion for Sgt. Maj. Robert C. Hollings, the reviewing officer that day. His son, Alexander, was among the young Marines in front of him; 29 years ago, almost to the day, he graduated from the same platoon.

Today, Sgt. Maj. Hollings, currently the sergeant major for 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Pfc. Alexander C. Hollings, an intelligence specialist, 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III MEF, are serving together on Okinawa. Twenty nine years ago, Sgt. Maj. Hollings was stationed on Camp Schwab. Now his son is stationed on Camp Hansen, only a few miles away.

For Pfc. Hollings, growing up around the military seemed normal.

"I never wanted anything else," he said.

"He was born in 1989 when I was a staff sergeant on the drill field," said Sgt. Maj. Hollings. "He was always curious about what I was doing with my Marines."

Sgt. Maj. Hollings' parenting style was directly affected by his career in the Marine Corps.

"It made me a much better father," he said. "I saw things, good and bad, happen to my Marines, and as a leader of my son, I was determined to set a better example."

Although Pfc. Hollings sees his dad in and out of uniform, he doesn't have problems with respect. Sgt. Maj. Hollings is harder on his Marines when he's in uniform, but he's still the same person, he commented.

At first Sgt. Maj. Hollings wanted his son to go to college after high school.

"When Alex said he wanted to be a Marine, I could tell by his speech and body language that he had thought through his decision," said Sgt. Maj. Hollings. "I embraced it. I was proud and happy."

Although Sgt. Maj. Hollings wanted his son to go to college, it was his outstanding service in the Marine Corps that inspired his son to become a Marine.

"The main reason I wanted to join the Marines was my dad," said Pfc. Hollings.

Pfc. Hollings worked with his Dad to choose a military occupation specialty. They considered what he was qualified for, what was available and how he could best serve the Marine Corps. After the choices were narrowed down between infantry and intelligence, Pfc. Hollings had the final choice.

At MOS school, Pfc. Hollings requested Okinawa as his first duty station. Sgt. Maj. Hollings has been stationed here since Jan. 2007, so for Pfc. Hollings it was like coming home.

Pfc. Hollings graduated from Kubaski high school on Camp Foster, Okinawa. From there, he was granted the courtesy to attend boot camp at MCRD Parris Island, instead of MCRD San Diego where recruits from Okinawa normally go.

This was Pfc. Hollings first step in his father's boot prints. He was assigned to the same squad bay and close to the same bunk his father had. They both said it was a fluke. The only reason they picked that date to leave for boot camp because it was compatible with his high school graduation date.

Pfc. Hollings plans on having more seniority than his dad. At this comment Sgt. Maj. Hollings started chuckling.

"At my retirement I think I'll call you up and give you my chevrons," he said. "See if you can live up to them."

Although some Marines treat Pfc. Hollings differently when they find out he's related to a sergeant major, he said he doesn't care because he thinks his heritage is cool.

Sgt. Maj. Hollings is proud of his son.

"Most parents are proud of their kids no matter what, but they know their kid's limits," he said. "Alex has the potential to be, not just a great Marine, but an outstanding Marine. He is ready to step up to the plate."

The enlistment of Pfc. Hollings hasn't adversely affected the father-son relationship between the two.

"It hasn't really changed," Pfc. Hollings said. "Now we have more of a bond."

Although Pfc. Hollings has many steps to take before he reaches the status that his dad has reached in the Marine Corps, he has an experienced Marine to guide him on his journey.