Photo By Cpl. R. J. Driver | Lance Cpl. Jesse Parke, a military policeman with Headquarters and Headquarters...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- Life is a journey, which takes us different places. For one military policeman, humble beginnings in Howell, Mich., have led him to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort where he is no longer just Lance Cpl. Jesse Parke, but Marine of the Year for Marine Corps Installations East.
Parke competed against four Marines from different bases to ultimately earn the title Marine of the Year, Oct. 20.
In the Marine Corps for less than two years, Parke has proven to his fellow Marines that he is ready to lead.
“Parke is an excellent Marine and military policeman,” said Lt. Jerry Soesbee, Parke’s platoon commander. “His leadership abilities are amazing. He has college experience and it shows in his maturity and the way he pushes his fellow Marines to do better and be in great physical shape.”
Competing in various boards including Military Policeman of the Month and meritorious corporal, Parke had valuable experience.
According to Cpl. Travis Hill, Parke’s platoon member, Parke has been competing in boards since he first arrived at the Air Station, taking advantage of every opportunity to stand out.
“Although I have a lot of board experience and I’m confident, I still get nervous before a board,” Parke explained. “But I’m always able to calm myself down because I know it is my time to showcase my knowledge and show what caliber of Marine I am.”
Days before leaving for Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Parke displayed his confidence when Lt. Col. John Pylant, the commanding officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, gave him parting words of encouragement and Parke replied, “I am going to give them hell, sir, and bring the award back to the Air Station.”
According to Cpl. Micheal Jefferson, fellow platoon member of Parke, there was no doubt he would get there and perform well. He was well prepared and very confident.
It takes a conglomeration of different qualities to make up an individual who is capable of winning Marine of the Year, but one of Parke’s qualities stands out.
“I am always impressed with how smart he is,” Jefferson said. “You can ask him anything and he usually has an answer for you.”
When Parke won Marine of the Year, he explained how the moments after played out.
“When I found out I won, I sent a text message to a few of my platoon members telling them we did it,” Parke explained. “I said we because it was not an individual effort. My [non-commissioned officers] prepared me well. Everything from uniforms to military knowledge, they made sure I had the tools to succeed.
“Because of the caliber of Marines around me, I was able to succeed. Without them, I may not have been in this position. It is a team effort.”
| Date Taken: | 10.20.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.04.2010 15:46 |
| Story ID: | 59431 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 384 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
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