New, old 9th ESB sergeants major on Okinawa get hands-on, use ceremony to teach drill

Photo By Sgt. Heather Golden | Sgt. Maj. James Calbough, front, incoming sergeant major for 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Sgt. Maj. John Ploskonka, the battalion's outgoing sergeant major, inspect their troops as they conduct a pass in review at Camp Hansen's parade deck during a Jan. 7 practice for a ceremony. Calbough officially took his place as the 9th ESB sergeant major Jan. 8.  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

01.28.2010

Story by Cpl. Heather Golden 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

Sgts. Maj. John Ploskonka and James Calbough had never met one another.

Yet, less than a week after meeting, the two banded together to teach their Marines a thing or two about something from their good ol' days as drill instructors.

Ploskonka, the outgoing sergeant major for 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Calbough, the battalion's incoming sergeant major, saw their relief and appointment ceremony, held Jan. 8 at Camp Hansen's parade deck, as the perfect time to practice a parade formation many Marines never see after graduating recruit training.

Ploskonka decided weeks before to change the normal routine of having troops on line to having troops in mass formations, much in the same style as a recruit graduation ceremony.

The troops conducted rifle manual, to include fixing their bayonets, and a pass in review, where the parade marches past the most senior officials for an inspection. The ceremony also included a performance by the III MEF Band.

Along the way, both sergeants major were knee-deep in all of the practices, personally inspecting and instructing troops, from senior staff noncommissioned officers to the most junior Marines.

"Every time we do a formation, I do it differently to teach Marines how easy it is," Ploskonka said. "Marines get accustomed to doing only one part of drill."

Calbough and Ploskonka both said perfecting drill defines what it means to be a Marine.
Staff Sgt. Travis Coffey, platoon sergeant for 9th ESB's Company A, echoed their thoughts.

Drill builds camaraderie and unit discipline. It also teaches Marines how to move units in an orderly manner from one point to another and instills a willing obedience to orders, Coffey explained. Mastering these principles keeps the mission going in a combat zone.

"The two biggest ones that affect the way we live as Marines is the obedience to orders and unit camaraderie," said Coffey. "If you don't listen to what you're told, somebody could die.

"Unit camaraderie takes place here, but it is used on the battlefield to make it a success," he continued.

Using the mass formation was unique, even for fellow former drill instructors in the unit like Coffey.

"We put a lot into it," Coffey said after the ceremony. "I was interested and wanted to try it. Now that I've tried it, I think it came out good."

Ploskonka was also happy with the results, describing the Marines' performances as "incredible" and complimenting their "discipline and meticulous attention to detail."

Calbough comes to the battalion after serving as the sergeant major for Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF.

Ploskonka has orders to report for duty as the sergeant major for the Wounded Warrior Regiment based out of Quantico, Va.

Both Marines said their biggest hope for 9th ESB is a successful deployment to Afghanistan and for all the Marines to return safely to Okinawa's shores. The unit is scheduled to deploy later this year.

• Date Taken: 01.28.2010
• Date Posted: 01.28.2010 20:12
• Story ID: 44583
• Location: OKINAWA, JP