Photo By Lance Cpl. Jerrick J. Griffin | Sgt. Franco Loza III, food service specialist, Food Service Company, Combat Logistics...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Some people are born to be leaders. Such is the case for one specific non-commissioned officer from Combat Logistics Regiment 17.
Sgt. Franco Loza III, a food service specialist with food Service Company, CLR-17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, leads by example and is a true role model and stellar Marine. The 21-year-old from Natalia, Texas joined the Marine Corps June 17, 2007, and since then has strived to be an example for others to follow.
“I was told to be on a constant pursuit of excellence,” said Loza. “I did all the things I had to do to challenge myself, to make myself better.”
By constantly striving for excellence, Loza was meritoriously promoted to the rank of corporal and to his current rank of sergeant.
Throughout his career, there have been Marines who have motivated and pushed Loza to his current position. He named three that helped him the most: Sgt. Maj. Jason Perry, 1st Sgt. Curtis Rice and Gunnery Sgt. Antonio Hairston.
“[Sgt. Maj. Perry] sort of took me under his wing,” said Loza. “By watching him and the way he carried himself, I learned how to talk to people in a respectful manner and how to lead.”
Since Feb. 2010, Loza has been an instrumental NCO for CLR-17. He is the color guard sergeant and a black belt Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor for Food Service Company.
“I love teaching MCMAP,” said Loza. “Not only for the physical training it gives, but also for the mental training.”
Loza does not stop at mentoring and leading Marines directly under
his charge. He seeks to help any service members who may need
assistance, such as students from his MCMAP course.
“He’s a great leader,” said Lance Cpl. Matthew Wooddell, disbursing
office, CLR-17, 1st MLG. “If there’s something you don’t know, he will try to teach you to the best of his knowledge.”
It is good for Marines to have a role model to take after, said Loza.
“I try to tell Marines that they can take after me, but don’t be exactly like me,” said Loza. “It’s better for them to develop their own leadership skills and be even better than me.”
But Loza doesn’t stop there. He plans on continuing to improve himself.
On his free time Loza likes to run marathons. So far, he has participated in nine of them and placed second in two.
To further influence Marines, Loza is currently putting in his package to become a drill instructor.
Loza recently received the 2010 Leadership award from the Navy,
Marine Corps Association. Nominees were selected for the award
based on how well they lead their troops and how they conduct themselves.
“I’m just honored that I was chosen to receive the award.” Loza credits his mother, Anna Loza, also from Natalia, Texas, for all of his success.
“My success will be with her,” said Loza. “She was always there. If I called, she would always answer the phone even if she was at work. I thank her for that."
| Date Taken: | 04.08.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.14.2011 14:13 |
| Story ID: | 68757 |
| Location: | CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 209 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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