Photo By Matthew Callahan | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan— Navy Captain Michael Monreal, left, presents a...... read more read more
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CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan— A Marine was honored as the unit bachelor housing manager of the quarter June 5 at the Camp Foster Theater.
Lance Cpl. Paul Siemucha, a ground sensor operator assigned to 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, was selected for his outstanding management of barracks building number 2610 on Camp Hansen from October 2014 to April 2015.
This is the first program to recognize accomplishments of local barracks managers by Marine Corps Installations Pacific General Facilities Housing and Billeting Office. Currently there is no Marine Corps-wide program to recognize barracks managers.
Mr. Reginald Polexi, the regional bachelor housing officer for MCIPAC GF Housing and Billeting, hopes the awards program will be eventually adopted by the Marine Corps at large. He said it’s in the initial phase of development and is focused primarily on barracks within Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan.
“The program will hopefully expand to become regional,” Polexi said. “From there, hopefully the Marine Corps will piggyback off of what we’ve established and help (the program to grow) to shed more light and acknowledge the accomplishments of our barracks managers.”
Though the position of barracks manager is typically billeted to noncommissioned officers per Marine Corps Order 11000.22, lower enlisted personnel have also taken up the responsibility. Siemucha was a Lance Cpl. during his tenure as barracks manager of 2610.
The order says fitness reports and proficiency and conduct markings for NCOs with the billet should reflect a “myriad of duties and responsibilities inherent in successfully managing a multi-million dollar facility … and leadership skills needed to manage and maintain quality of life for Marines.”
Polexi maintains that leadership and managing qualities don’t exist solely within the NCO corps.
“There’s no doubt, regardless of the individual’s rank, as long as they’re proactive, willing to learn and willing to help their fellow service members, anyone can do the job,” Polexi said.
That is not to say the task of managing a barracks is easy, Polexi insists. Marines or sailors in charge of barracks need to be accountable for everyone and everything residing in their buildings, making their jobs a daunting 24-hour-a-day endeavor.
“Everyone thinks the barracks manager sits around all day and doesn’t do anything,” said Siemucha, a Niagara Falls, New York, native. “The reality is, our job never stops.”
Instead of operating in the confines of a typical 8-hour workday, Siemucha says he gets knocks on his doors during all hours, day and night, for tasks like unlocking rooms for residents or to replace bad lights in their rooms.
“It’s a lot of hours … we’re working weekends … working from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. just checking people in and out,” said Siemucha. “You’re the administration, logistics and supply shop of the entire operation. The general day-to-day is maintaining rosters … and to make sure everything gets fixed, maintained and that all records are kept up-to-date (like) linen counts, new personnel, leaving personnel and those going on temporarily assigned duties and room identification placards.”
A perception by some Marines and sailors is barracks managers were given their billets as a form of punishment. Polexi, while acknowledging that perception some have, says it’s a largely false impression.
“We’ve had multiple unit bachelor housing managers come into the program and have been very successful,” he said.
He also explained that, occasionally, a Marine’s ineffectiveness within his or her unit prevents them from doing his or her regular duties, so they’re assigned to a barracks manager billet to continue to contribute to the mission. Polexi said these situations contribute to a negative perception of the billet.
He said that situational shortcomings doesn’t mean a Marine or sailor can’t flip the script and adapt to a new role and thrive.
“We all make mistakes,” Polexi said. “However, when (these Marines) come to the program, many have excelled far beyond expectations. It’s definitely a program that has its unique rewards.”
According to Polexi, the program does not discriminate against any military occupational specialty and that no particular group of Marines or sailors is tapped to take the barracks manager role.
“It’s one of those dirty jobs that no one really wants to do and that it is seen as a form of punishment,” said Polexi. “That’s the perception we’re trying to change (here). By having that (awards program) to help everyone understand that if you’re assigned to this program, it’s not punishment, but ‘hey, we know you’re capable of handling a multi-million dollar facility and the potential of managing close to 400 people.’”
| Date Taken: | 06.11.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2015 03:47 |
| Story ID: | 166240 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 332 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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