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    Marine carries on family legacy, joins NCO ranks

    Marine carries on family legacy, joins NCO ranks

    Photo By Cpl. Yosselyn Munnerlyn | Sergeant True Vang (left) and Sgt. Ricky Vang (right) promote their younger sister...... read more read more

    MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, UNITED STATES

    07.09.2014

    Story by Lance Cpl. Victor A. Arriaga 

    II Marine Expeditionary Force   

    MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -It is no surprise that Cpl. Kathy Vang decided to join the Marines. With three older brothers serving across the Corps, Vang wanted to continue her family’s legacy.

    “I always wanted to challenge myself. Having three brothers in the Marine Corps helped with that,” said Vang. “They encouraged me to go for it and they saw the potential in me to do something greater.”

    Shortly after enlisting in November 2012, Vang, a native of St. Paul, Minn., arrived at Cherry Point. Assigned to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Vang was determined to stand out, she said.

    “Soon after I first got here I heard about a meritorious lance corporal promotion board,” said Vang. “I let my leaders know I wanted to do it and they told me I had to show them that I
    deserved a chance.”

    Vang accepted the challenge and set about expanding her Marine Corps knowledge, improving her physical fitness and showing her work ethic, she said.

    “I was trying to do everything I could,” said Vang. “Eventually I did go on a board and I won.”

    Vang, who takes her cues from her brothers-in-arms, continued to excel as a Marine after her promotion to lance corporal. Vang was selected to serve as an administrative specialist for 2nd MAW’s commanding general, Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hedelund, shortly after winning her first meritorious promotion board, she said.

    “I want to use my knowledge and work ethic to influence junior Marines,” she said. “Just like my brothers, I wanted to have people look up to me.”

    As part of her day-to-day duties, Vang is responsible for handling and processing the administrative needs of the commanding general and his staff. From basic correspondence to travel arrangements and itineraries, Vang ensures the correct paperwork and forms are processed to allow the MAW’s commander to focus on his mission.

    Vang spent seven months as a lance corporal prior to earning her promotion to corporal the month she became eligible, she said.
    “I didn’t know that General Hedelund wanted to be my promoting officer,” said Vang. “When I found out he was going to promote me, I was very excited.”

    Two of Vang’s brothers, both noncommissioned officers, affixed their sister’s new rank July 2 during the promotion ceremony. The Marines were glad to show their support and welcome Cpl. Vang to the NCO ranks, said Sgt. True Vang, a supply warehouse clerk at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Ga.

    “I had to come out here because she’s my sister and I only get to see her promoted to corporal once,” said Sgt. Vang. “I was just happy I got to be out here to support her.”

    Vang continues to strive for improvement, emulating what her brothers and other senior Marines have taught her, she said.
    As an NCO, Vang hopes to play a role in the Corps-wide Reawakening Campaign, an initiative set out by the Commandant and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. The goal of the campaign is to help Marine leaders, especially NCOs, return to their roots higher standards and exemplary behavior among Marines, she said.
    “Who NCOs are and what NCOs do form the soul of the Corps,” said Vang. “The Reawakening Campaign is about discipline, leadership and holding ourselves to a higher standard.”
    Vang believes setting the example is important in order to lead Marines as an NCO.

    “Before you set the example you have to be the example,” said Vang. “You have to be patient and confident and just try your best to be a good example for junior Marines.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.09.2014
    Date Posted: 07.18.2014 13:32
    Story ID: 136543
    Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US

    Web Views: 1,752
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN