Photo By Cpl. Khoa Pelczar | Gunnery Sgt. Oranjel A. Leavy, company gunnery sergeant of Headquarters Company,...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- When one decides to step onto the yellow footprints, they accept the leadership roles and the responsibilities that come with the title United States Marine.
These roles and responsibilities increase as a Marine climbs the ranks. For senior Marines, it is their responsibility to uphold this old tradition to improve the Marine Corps. One Marine with Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, follows this guideline. Gunnery Sgt. Oranjel A. Leavy, company gunnery sergeant of Headquarters Co., CLR-17, 1st MLG, leads by example.
Leavy was born and raised in Queens, N.Y., and moved to Charleston, S.C., at the age of 12, where he considers his hometown. After going to college for one year in Atlanta, he decided to join the military to support his family.
"Once you've joined, it's not just about you anymore," said Leavy, 32. "You can't be a Marine and live the life you used to have. You sacrificed all that when you joined. You will look at life differently."
Everything a Marine does has its consequences, and being responsible is the key to being a good Marine. Leavy wanted to help improve the future of the Corps and to ensure future Marines became more responsible, so he went to drill instructor school to learn how to make warriors from raw recruits.
"I was like a lot of the junior Marines, being a knucklehead," he said. "Good leadership kept me in check." "If I would have met my wife earlier, she would have kept me in check, too, as she does now," said Leavy.
Leavy still remembers one of his senior leaders, Master Gunnery Sgt. James Wilson, who influenced him to become the leader he is today.
"He's always out there with the Marines through everything," said Leavy. "From [swim qualification], to the obstacle course and down to cleaning up the warehouse, the man was there through it all."
Following the examples that were set by his senior leader, Leavy went on to help improve the Corps. He sacrificed his time being with his family to train and guide men who wished to become future generations of Marines.
"The process involved a lot of praying," he said, "Your body isn't used to working those hours. The first two cycles are the toughest, and then your body adjusts to it."
Leavy also leads by example by getting out with the Marines for Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Training. And to help some overweight Marines get back in shape to meet Marine Corps height and weight standards, Leavy leads physical training every week for the Headquarters Co. Body Composition Program. He also gives Marines advice on how to eat healthy to stay in shape. He even went on a diet with them to motivate them along the way.
"Every Marine is my Marine, and they won't be junior Marines forever. You'll be amazed by the things you learn from them," Leavy said.
He takes time out of his busy schedule to listen to the problems Marines are facing, gets to know them and talks to them about his life experience to help them see and approach their problems in a different way, giving them guidance to better their careers.
Leavy hopes setting the right example will help influence future generations of Marines. "Young Marines, they've got heart, they just need a little guidance," he said. "You can't go wrong as long as you stick to the basics and keep your nose clean."
| Date Taken: | 08.25.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2009 18:01 |
| Story ID: | 37951 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 467 |
| Downloads: | 258 |
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