Photo By Sgt. Shawn Valosin | Sgt. John Calvert, a Baltimore, Md., native and intelligence specialist with...... read more read more
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SIGONELLA, Italy - Intelligence specialists are familiar with all phases and facets of intelligence operations. Typical duties of intelligence specialists involve the collection, recording, analysis, processing, and dissemination of information or intelligence.
Before a deployment, service members are given country-specific briefs to identify regional trends, common cultural norms, and customs and courtesies of a specific country. Intelligence specialists pour over information, picking out details of importance to Marines and Sailors deploying to an operational area. These details can mean the difference between life or death for service members on deployment.
Prior to leaving Camp Lejeune, N.C., the Marines and Sailors of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 14 were briefed by Sgt. John Calvert. His dedication to his work and fellow Marines is what earned him the title of Warrior of the Week.
Calvert, a Baltimore, Md., native and intelligence specialist with SP-MAGTF Africa 14, said he joined the Marine Corps because his grandfather always told him that he couldn’t do it.
“My Pop (Glenn Calvert Sr), was a Marine, he served 8 years in the Corps and got out as a Sergeant,” said Calvert. “He is the last Marine in my family to serve before me. Growing up, I never knew my father, and I always looked to my Pop to be that Dad I never had. He used to always tell me stories about Korea, random times in the Marine Corps, and always wore motivated clothing with the eagle, globe and anchor and other Marine stuff. He loved being a Marine and I loved his stories. When I started getting older, I'd joke around with him saying that I was going to join the Marine Corps and be like him. He always told me I couldn't, and I'm almost certain that was because as an adolescent, I wouldn't listen to anyone. I was smart, but I lacked motivation and drive. All I wanted to do was have fun and ride my skateboard. I had no discipline at all. So he used to say things like my frame was too small and I could never hike with a heavy pack.
He knew all of the things I lacked I'd gain as a Marine and knew that I looked at him with such admiration and love that he could, in a way, manipulate me into doing something that would make me more than I ever believed I could be. I was content in being lazy, but he was content in doing me one last favor.”
While he may have joined the Corps because of his grandfather, Calvert soon grew a deep appreciation for Marines and their multi-faceted nature.
“My most memorable moment in the Marine Corps was when I was on Inspector-Instructor duty,” said Calvert. “It helped me gain a better understanding of the community, how they perceive the Marine Corps as a whole, and how the Marine Corps is viewed an outstanding organization. [Being viewed as an outstanding organization] wasn’t just because of our warrior ethos, but because we give back to our communities and the rest of the nation unselfishly [by volunteering to defend our country and charity events like Toys for Tots].”
The unselfishness that is prevalent in the community relations events can also be seen in Calvert’s professional and personal life, and has been noticed by his superiors and peers.
“Sergeant Calvert seems to have very high expectations for himself,” said 1st Lt. Benjamin Ream, a Plum, Pa., native and intelligence officer with SP-MAGTF Africa 14. “I believe a lot of his drive comes from within and the fear of leaving this deployment knowing he didn’t give it his all. All the work he does supports his fellow peers and Marines. I believe this drives him to work the long hours and produce the quality work that ensures his fellow Marines are supported in every way he can affect. The continued support from his family also seems to play a crucial role in his development and the motivation that he conveys.”
It may have been a challenge to join the Marine Corps, but Sgt. Calvert continues to uphold the ethos engraved in him during boot camp. He continues to challenge himself day in and out never giving anything less than his best. Furthermore, complaining is not in this Marines vocabulary, as he works long hours and still shows up to work the next day with the same drive and determination as the day before.
“Sergeant Calvert is the ideal well rounded Marine,” said Ream. “He is mentally, physically, and emotionally strong. He constantly has the drive to take the initiative exceeding expectations and lessens the work load of others in the shop.”
Warrior of the Week was created to recognize the Marines and Sailors of SP-MAGTF Africa who play a significant role in the day to day operations that lead to mission success. Sometimes these accomplishments go under the radar, thus we try to capture the moments so that everyone else can appreciate their value.
| Date Taken: | 08.22.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.22.2014 09:04 |
| Story ID: | 140126 |
| Location: | SIGONELLA, IT |
| Hometown: | BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, US |
| Hometown: | PLUM, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 353 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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