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Facilities Maintenance - keeping the Depot running smoothly, problem free

USMC News

Story Identification Number: 20034251473
Story by Lance Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(April 18, 2003) -- Life aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, runs like clockwork thanks to a team of Marines and civilians who maintain the day-to-day operations.

There are two essential sections on the Depot that oversee and sustain its facilities: Facilities Maintenance and Plans and Programs. Both of these sections make up Facilities Division.

Facilities Maintenance's mission is to keep the Depot in tip-top-shape. Anytime something needs to be repaired they are ready to tackle the challenge.

"We are like Home Depot," said Sharon E. Mello, facilities information technologies manager. "We handle anything on the Depot that is structural or mechanical."

Most of the division is made up of and run by civilians.

"Civilians do everyday tasks like plumbing and electrical" said Sgt. Whitlock, engineer, Facilities Division. "Marines do everything from repairing light bulbs to base boards."

Employees report any building problems to the division and it is evaluated and assessed for proper handling, according to Mello. If a project is too massive for what the Depot can currently provide support for then it is contracted out through the contract department.

No matter what task needs to be done it has to be done according to standards.

"Not only do we have to follow base regulations, but we also have to follow county, state, city, and Navy regulations since we fall under all of them. We are an all government command," said Mello.

With everyone playing their part, teamwork is essential to the accomplishment of the division's mission.

"From the front desk, a form sent to the shop, scheduling the job, ordering parts, and then going to fix it, teamwork is important here," said Mello.

Facilities Division is self-contained with their own onformation technology, budget, contracts, supply, maintenance, recycling, plans and policies, and environmental.

"You could equate us to the Enterprise on Star Trek," said Mello. "We are a self-contained command. The Navy used to have destroyer tenders who were self contained and were capable of fixing or improving destroyers."

From recycling natural resources to reusing gear, to dealing with environmental issues, civilians and Marines work together to get the job done.

"Our mission is to support Marines with whatever help they need. We work directly for you guys," said Benito V. Tolentino, woodworker, Facilities Maintenance.

While it important to maintain the Depot's day-to-day operations, someone has to look out for the future of the Depot as well.

Overseeing the future of the Depot is the job of Plans and Programs.

Plans and Programs helps with long range programs to improve the base on a larger scale, according to Navy Lt. Matthew C. Motsko, deputy director, Facilities Division.

Long range programs include construction or destruction of buildings.

"Our most current large project is demolishing the old swim tank," said Motsko.

Additional future projects include improving electrical wiring throughout the buildings on base, heating ventilation, fire alarm systems, and the 5.2 million dollar project of repairing the steam line on base, according to Motsko.

The jobs of the Facilities Division are continuous and elaborate in terms of modernizing the Depot. Facilities Division civilians and Marines continue to ensure the preservation of the Depot.