Photo By Capt. Mallory VanderSchans | The 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos congratulates U.S. Navy...... read more read more
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NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy – Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Richard George, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa senior medical representative from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was promoted to his current rank by the 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett here June 16, 2013.
The promotion ceremony was held during the commandant and sergeant major of the Marine Corps’ visit to Special-Purpose MAGTFs Africa and Crisis Response, one of several stops on a troop tour.
“I’m extremely proud of Master Chief George’s recent promotion,” said Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Daniel Whisnant. “He is an exceptional asset to the Marines and Sailors of Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa, and we’re proud and honored to have him on our team.”
George has spent the last six months deployed with Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa, and his promotion is a highlight of not only the deployment but also his time with the Marines.
“Being promoted by the commandant and sergeant major of the Marine Corps is an exclamation point on the last ten years of working with the Marines,” George said.
George transitioned from active duty to the Navy reserves in 2002, and he changed his rate from operations specialist to corpsman.
“I transitioned to the Marine Corps, or green side as we call it, and joined an air naval gunfire liaison company,” George said. “It was the best thing that has ever happened to me. Being on the green side is not just a job anymore, it’s a love.”
For George, being with the Marines provided the opportunity to experience the unique relationship between Marines and corpsmen.
“I used to read books and hear stories of the bond between corpsmen and Marines- over the last 10 years I have lived it,” he said.
Reaching the highest enlisted rank in the Navy, George says, is a great milestone in his life and career, but the credit belongs just as much to those he served with.
“It means a lot to me because I didn’t get here by myself,” he said. “It’s the junior Sailors and Marines who I worked alongside. They accomplished the tasks, completed the missions and did things above and beyond my expectations. They all helped me succeed.”
George added he also owes his success to the Chief’s Mess, the Navy organization comprised of chief, senior chief and master chief petty officers.
“The Chief’s Mess Sailors are the Navy’s deckplate leaders and they are my brothers and sisters, peers and mentors. They gave me the navigations tools to steer the right course and speed to where I am today.”
The rank insignia of chief petty officers and above includes a fouled anchor which symbolizes the trials and tribulations endured by the chiefs. The ranks are differentiated by the number of stars on the insignia. Two stars above the anchor identify a master chief, and for George they represent a personal side of his career.
“For me the two stars represent my mother and sister because they have been by my side through 22 years of ups and downs in the Navy.”
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.28.2013 01:48 |
| Story ID: | 109436 |
| Location: | NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, IT |
| Hometown: | FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 152 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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