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Strike Group Commander, Former Marine Addresses New Marine Corporals

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090304-24
Release Date: 3/4/2009 5:13:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chad R. Erdmann, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs

USS IWO JIMA, At Sea (NNS) -- Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU) held a graduation ceremony March 2 for Marines who successfully completed the Combined Corporal Leadership Course aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7).

Capt. Brian T. Smith, commander, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, addressed the graduating corporals in a ceremony held on Iwo Jima's forecastle.

Smith, a former Marine, graduated from the course in 1980.

"At some point in your career, you transition from being led to being a leader," said Smith. "Nearly 29 years ago, I stood where you stand today, a new graduate of the corporal's course."

The course is a mixture of education and physical training.

"The corporal's course is where young Marines get all their basics and all their mission guidance to be a leader in the Marines," said 26 MEU Sgt. Maj. Allen Tanner. "Commodore Smith once walked in the same sand that we walked in, and it is great for our young Marines to see that they can grow in many ways."

Cpl. Jessica McKinney, Combat Logistics Battalion 26 (CBL-26), from Herculaneum, Mo., was the distinguished honor graduate for this class of corporals.

"I just found out today that Commodore Smith was a prior Marine, and in 1980 he was doing what we are doing today," said McKinney. "It just goes to show the different paths that you can take. This is where I am right now, and look where Capt. Smith is now; there are just so many paths that we can take from here."

Smith was honored to stand before the corporals and congratulate them for their accomplishments.

"The United States Marine Corps has been building superb leaders for over 233 years," said Smith. "You are now part of that proud tradition."

The Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group is currently supporting maritime security operations in the Navy's 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility. The Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group consists of Iwo Jima; amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17); amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); all homeported at Norfolk; and the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), homeported at Mayport, Fla.

For more news from Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/iwoesg/.