PANZER KASERNE, Germany -- Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent spent time speaking with and getting to know the Marines of Marine Forces Europe and Marine Forces Africa outside their Headquarters Building, March 7-8.
“You’re doing great things out here,” Kent told the assembled Marines. “You’re doing things that units with thousands of Marines don’t do. I talk with the commandant about MarForEur and MarForAf, and nothing but positive things come out of the conversations.”
Kent stressed that the Marines in Germany were living examples of how a small amount of Marines are able to do great things. He reassured the Marines that there will not be any cuts to the size of the Marine Corps until combat operations in Afghanistan are finished, and even then they will not affect them.
"It was great to have Sgt. Maj. Kent come enlighten us with what’s going on around the Marine Corps as a whole,” said Sgt. Zach Zapotoski, a platoon sergeant with MarForEur. “I really appreciated that our most senior enlisted leadership came and talked with us in such a candid manner about the future of the Marine Corps.”
In front of all the Marines, Kent joked with Zapotoski about shared experiences while deployed in Australia, and Zapotoski said he sincerely appreciated seeing Kent’s human side.
“Sgt. Maj. Kent is a Marine’s Marine,” said Zapotoski. “He can communicate with any kind of Marine without making them feel alienated. He’s an all American who came from the same roots as the rest of us.”
Kent’s enthusiasm was contagious and felt all around MarForEur and MarForAf. Besides inspiring the Marines with speeches, Kent also participated in a motivational run with all the enlisted Marines. Sergeant Fernando Iribe, customer service and temporary assigned duty non-commissioned officer with MarForEur, had the honor of leading the run and carrying his unit’s colors.
“Being able to lead the run with Sgt. Maj. Kent was definitely motivating, and it’s a story I can pass on to my junior Marines, friends and family,” said Iribe. “Leading a run with the sergeant major of the Marine Corps and carrying the guidon is an honor and a privilege that few Marines get to experience during their career in the Marine Corps, and I’m really appreciative that I got the opportunity.”
During Kent’s visit, he made the announcement that on the ninth of June he will be finishing up his 35 years of military service. He was honored by MarForEur and MarForAf with a plaque detailing his service. The plaque was mounted on a piece of lumber from Belleau Wood, France, a very historical place for Marines. The French woods are where they attacked German lines in World War I and earned the title Teufel Hunden, German for Devil Dog.
“Each and every one of you is living up to the great legacy of the Marine Corps,” said Kent. “Most of you were in Iraq and did great things there. We have accomplished that mission and now there are only around 70 Marines there. You all have the eagle globe and anchor branded in your heart, and it has truly been an honor to serve with each and every one of you, Semper Fi!”