Otis welcomes new sergeant major

Photo By Lance Cpl. Glen Santy | Sgt. Maj. Misitupa Tueichi, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 sergeant major.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

12.19.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Glen Santy 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. - Sgt. Maj. Misitupa Tueichi assumed his post as Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 sergeant major from Sgt. Maj. Rick Caisse Friday.

Caisse will retire and move on to instruct at a Reserve Officer Training Corps post.

“Leaving ‘252 will be bittersweet,” said Caisse. “I hate leaving the Marine Corps. I’ve been doing it since I was a child. I hate the thought of leaving the squadron, but I’ve come to terms with leaving, and I’m starting to look forward to it.”

“I’ve had Marines ask me advice on staying in, and the one thing I always tell them is to be themselves,” said Caisse.

He explained that throughout his career, the Marine Corps has offered him so many opportunities to challenge himself that there isn’t much left that he considers to be much of a challenge.

“As stressful as the Marine Corps can be, it has taught me to handle it very well,” said Caisse. “I’ve learned when everyone else is freaking out, it’s time to take a deep breath. It’s taught me how to handle situations and think things through.”

Tueichi came to VMGR-252 from Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, region 4, in South America.

“It’s a good feeling,” he said. “I’m proud and honored to be here as the sergeant major of these Marines.”

Tueichi said he is taking on his new position one step at a time, learning the ins and outs of VMGR-252 and adjusting as need be from there.

He said he will expect all Marines to uphold the highest of Marine Corps standards which he said is “the only guideline we have in the Marine Corps.”

• Date Taken: 12.19.2012
• Date Posted: 12.19.2012 16:55
• Story ID: 99561
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US