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    Recon Marine promoted in Senegal

    Recon Marine promoted to major in Senegal

    Photo By Cpl. Timothy Norris | Maj. Mike Berentson, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 team...... read more read more

    TOUBACOUTA, Senegal- A promotion is an important ceremony in the Marine Corps. A time when an individual is recognized as worthy to ascend in the ranks of leadership, a time for unwavering bearing and pressed uniforms. A time for swimming?

    Maj. Mike Berentson, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 team leader and nominee of the Lt. Col. William G. Leftwich Jr. Trophy for outstanding leadership, was promoted to his current rank at Bel-Air military base in Dakar, Senegal, April 16, 2013.

    His team of reconnaissance Marines and Navy riverine Sailors was recently in Senegal teaching Companie de Fusilier Marine Commandos combat marksmanship, maritime security and light infantry operations tactics.

    “Since we’re here training the COFUMACO to enhance their maritime capabilities, I thought it would be appropriate to do the promotion in the water to show them that we like to be in the water and how comfortable we are there,” said the Burlington, Wash., native. “As reconnaissance Marines, we spend a lot of time in the water and it’s our home away from land.”

    In full Marine-Patterned (MAR-PAT) uniforms, Berentson and his Marines dawned goggles and flippers before descending into the dark green saltwater of the Atlantic Ocean. The COFUMACO watched from the shore as the Marines arranged into a floating formation. Berentson swam underneath his Marines before rising from the water and reporting to Lt. Col. Daniel Whisnant, the Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa 13 commanding officer.

    As Berentson stood, soaking wet with fins in hand and goggles around his neck, Whisnant pinned the gold oak leaves upon Berentson’s collar and administered the uniformed services oath-of-office.

    “I'm very proud of Maj. Berentson and his team,” Whisnant said. “They've remained flexible but focused on this mission. Through Maj. Berentson's exemplary leadership, his team will have a tremendous impact on increasing the readiness and capabilities of their COFUMACO counterparts.”

    Dismissed, Berentson returned to the water.

    Reconnaissance Marines are known to have unusual ceremonies, said Sgt. Michael Wong, Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa 13 reconnaissance Marine from Honolulu, Hawaii.

    “I’ve seen several different types of ceremonies. From Marines getting pinned underwater while scuba diving to re-enlisting before jumping out of an airplane. It’s different from normal ceremonies in the rest of the Marine Corps. Recon Marines always do things just a little different.”

    The Marines returned to dry land at the conclusion of the ceremony where the Senegalese COFUMACO they have been training offered shouts of congratulations.

    “O’ley! O’ley, o’ley, o’ley,” they sang in congratulations.
    “Even though my rank is higher, it doesn’t change the fact that I must lead and take care of my Marines and ensure that they are getting their job done training the COFUMACO,” Berentson concluded.

    Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa strengthens U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa and U.S. Africa Command's ability to assist partner nations. The approximately 150 U.S. Marines and Sailors conduct security force assistance, military-to-military engagements and are trained to provide support to crisis response.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.16.2013
    Date Posted: 05.20.2013 20:28
    Story ID: 107281
    Location: DAKAR, SN
    Hometown: BURLINGTON, WA, US

    Web Views: 701
    Downloads: 4

    PUBLIC DOMAIN