Photo By Nathan Hanks | Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Rowan, outgoing sergeant major, Marine Corps Logistics Command,...... read more read more
In a combined ceremony, Marines, Sailors, and Civilian-Marines witnessed the transfer of Marine Corps Logistics Command’s highest senior enlisted position and the retirement of its former sergeant major, May 6.
The event, which consisted of a relief and appointment and a retirement ceremony, was held on Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia.
Guests witnessed history in the making, as U.S. Marine Corps Logistics Command’s Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Rowan, outgoing sergeant major, relinquished his duties by the ceremonial passing of a noncommissioned officer's sword to Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Shrader, commanding general, MARCORLOGCOM, who then passed it to Sgt. Maj. Jason B. Hammock.
Shrader then addressed the audience and spoke of Rowan’s qualities as a Marine. He explained that two of Rowan’s many attributes are his love of the Corps, and his understanding of the responsibilities bestowed upon a sergeant major.
The commanding general then formally welcomed Hammock to the MARCORLOGCOM family and spoke about his duties as the command’s newest senior enlisted Marine and keeper of the Corps’ tradition.
“Welcome from Okinawa, Japan,” he said. “I am looking forward to working with you. I know you’re up to it.”
Hammock, whose last assignment was the director of the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan, thanked Shrader for his comments and accepted the responsibilities, and duties as his senior enlisted leader,.
“Thank you for those kind words, sir. I look forward to working with you here at the Marine Corps Logistics Command,” Hammock said. “Commanders, directors, civilians that are part of the MARCORLOGCOM, I appreciate the opportunity to serve alongside you. It is going to be a great experience for me.”
Upon completion of the relief and appointment ceremony, Rowan was recognized for his three decades of honorable and faithful service to the country and Corps during a retirement ceremony. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service and achievement.
Rowan also received an American Flag flown earlier that morning over the MARCORLOGCOM Headquarters building in his honor. Concluding the combined ceremonies, Shrader expressed his heartfelt gratitude and praised Rowan for his numerous achievements.
“It has been my humble privilege to serve alongside you,” he said. “Thank you for all you have done. God speed, sergeant major.”
He then invited Rowan up for his final closing remarks.
“The National Anthem - It always gets me whenever it is played,” Rowan expressed as he reflected on his career. “First, I want to thank God for all that He has done... for watching over me and guiding me left and right.”
Rowan concluded the ceremony by thanking his family, but more specifically, his wife for her dedication to him, their marriage, his career, and their love for one another.
| Date Taken: | 05.11.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.12.2021 14:09 |
| Story ID: | 396227 |
| Location: | ALABNY, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 297 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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