Photo By Jennifer Brofer | Lance Cpl. Richard Hogan, an automotive technician with 2nd Platoon, Motor Transport...... read more read more
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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Inside a large warehouse full of tactical vehicles, Lance Cpl. Richard Hogan can be found wearing blue coveralls, his hands covered in axle oil from having just worked on the engine of a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle as part of a week-long MRAP repair course.
As an automotive technician with 2nd Platoon, Motor Transport Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Hogan works day in and day out, maintaining and repairing tactical vehicles like Humvees, 7-ton trucks and MRAPs.
The 21-year-old Marine from St. Louis has only been in the unit for a little over a year, but he’s already impressed leaders with his tenacity and work ethic – so much so that he was recently named Marine of the Quarter for 1st Marine Logistics Group.
With first-class scores on the Physical Fitness Test and Combat Fitness Test, a second-award rifle expert badge and a green belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, it’s no wonder that Hogan stood out among his peers.
But it was more than high scores that put him over the top on the Marine of the Quarter board, said leaders, who lauded his initiative and ability to tackle any assignment.
“He’s definitely a self-starter,” said Staff Sgt. Seth Whiteley, maintenance chief, 2nd Platoon, MTM Company, 1st Maintenance Bn., CLR-15, 1st MLG. “He’s not afraid to jump on a truck ... that type of initiative is something that’s sought-after in a young Marine.”
In order to be named the MLG Marine of the Quarter, Hogan was first nominated by his leaders to go on the company-level board, which he won, along with the regimental board and, finally, the group-level board, for which he received a Meritorious Mast and challenge coin from the 1st MLG sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Antonio N. Vizcarrondo Jr.
“Lance Cpl. Hogan of CLR-15 performed in an exemplary manner during the board portion of his selection,” said Vizcarrondo. “His knowledge was impressive and he displayed maturity beyond his years. He is another fine example of the outstanding young warriors that we have filling our ranks here in the MLG.”
“Lance Cpl. Hogan is a good Marine,” added Cpl. Antonio Jimenez, 21, from Chicago, Hogan’s mentor and former fireteam leader. “He likes to seek knowledge; he constantly challenges me by asking me a lot of stuff. The way he carries himself, he still believes in the basics, he gives the proper greeting of the day, and when he’s told to do something he does it the way it’s asked of him and in a timely manner.”
Of his selection as the Marine of the Quarter, Hogan simply said, “It’s an honor.”
Hogan’s philosophy is to give “110 percent” and “lead from the front” at all times, he said.
“If [leaders] task me with something, it gets done,” said Hogan, a graduate of Hazelwood Central High School.
Hogan joined the Marine Corps in January 2010 and is the first Marine in his family; his sister is a specialist in the Army. He said when considering joining the military, he originally wanted to become an Army Ranger, but decided later that he wanted the challenge that the Marine Corps offered.
“If I’m going to go, I might as well join the best,” Hogan recalled of his decision to become a Marine.
Early next spring, Hogan will deploy with his unit to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He said he’s excited at the prospect of being able to employ his skills in a deployed environment.
Hogan also said he plans to reenlist and will stay in the Corps “as long as the Marine Corps will have me.”
“I can’t wait to be promoted,” said Hogan, “and have more Marines under my charge to lead.”
| Date Taken: | 10.05.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.14.2011 16:06 |
| Story ID: | 78508 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 220 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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