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Marine Corps' top leadership visits CentComs AOR

Story by Gunnery Sgt. Shannon Arledge
Story Identification Number: 20032464049

PERSIAN GULF(Feb. 3, 2003) -- The 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps toured the Middle East and parts of Afghanistan in his early February visit. Gen. Michael W. Hagee took the opportunity to visit Marines and Sailors in the region to say thanks for their untiring support to the nation.

Gen. Hagee made stops in Bahrain, Kuwait and Afghanistan. During the visit he stopped to speak with every available Marine and Sailor he could, taking time to personally get to know each one.

He reminded the sea-service members in Bahrain that they are national representatives and he is proud of each and every one of them. The commandant added, "This great team?this Naval team is doing what it takes to keep our country free and keep the citizens of the nation safe."

Gen. Hagee stressed the fact that today's mission would not be as successful without the reserve forces. He pushed the importance of maintaining the Corps' expeditionary capabilities to project Naval power ashore at any time.

"Sea basing ? I see it as an emerging national asset with a Naval lead," Gen. Hagee said in a statement prior to his trip to the Central Command Area of Responsibility. "One of our first steps is to better understand what we need our maritime sea-basing platforms to look like.

"We need to be able to project national power from a sea base," he added.

While visiting his leathernecks, it was apparent that the focus of his visit wasn't to stand before the Marines and speak, but to reach out and shake hands face to face with as many of them as he could.

"I think it is important that he traveled here," said Sgt. Dustin L. Reese, 23, from Red Bluff, Calif. "By the commandant showing his presence it's a reminder of what we do. He just didn't address us in ranks, he took the time to meet each of us."

The commandant shared the sergeant's enthusiasm by adding, "I am overwhelmed with pride to be here; you are representatives of the nation."

The commandant assumed his current post Jan. 13, and is making it a point to reach all Marines throughout the world. "I am proud of the Marines. I want to thank them for what they're doing for the nation and the Marine Corps," he said. "I feel confident they are prepared to do whatever the president asks them."

Accompanying the commandant was the 14th Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps.

Sgt. Maj. Alford L. McMichael, who assumed his post July 1, 1999, will soon leave his current assignment when a new sergeant major is selected later this year.

As the Corps senior enlisted Marine, he too, was excited about the opportunity to see the troops serving overseas. He commented that his hopes for the future are simple.

"We need to steady the course," said the sergeant major. "We can't forget our legacy and we need to continue to build on the heritage of the Corps and our country, to meet the world's and America's expectation."

"I thought the visit was great," said Pfc. Jacob S. Fales, 20, from Cullman, Ala. Fales is a military policeman serving with Marine Forces Central Command. "It showed leadership, and that the Corps' top leaders are willing to come out and see us. The commandant is getting to know his Marines in your not so typical overseas assignment. It shows that what we're doing here is important," he added.