Officers pass their rank down the promotion line

Photo By Master Sgt. Skyler Tooker | Lt. Col. Jason Bell receives the rank insignia just removed from Col. Robert Manion’s collar as he is promoted to his current rank at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 01, 2010.  

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

10.03.2010

Story by Cpl. Skyler Tooker 

1st Marine Division

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Promotion to the next rank is a memorable event for any Marine, but for Marines of the Afghanistan National Security Forces Development Cell, 1st Marine Division (Forward), it was an especially significant event as they promoted three Marine officers to the next rank, Oct. 1.

As each of the Marines were promoted, they handed their old insignia to the Marine on their left to be promoted to their new rank.

First to be promoted was Col. Robert Manion, 1st Mar Div (Fwd), ANSF Director. This was his second promotion in as many deployments with the “Blue Diamond.” Manion, 43, a Seattle native, is in charge of all ANSF operations for the division.

The ANSF DC is responsible for the generation of ANSF programs that develop plans and assessments for 1st Mar Div (Fwd).
Lt. Col. Jason Bell, the deputy director of ANSF, was next to be promoted, pinning on Manion’s seasoned rank insignia.

“Receiving a promotion to the next rank is not about what you have accomplished,” said Bell, 39, from DeLand, Fla. “It is about what you are going to accomplish.”

Last, but certainly not least, Bell passed his oak leaves to Roy Draa, the Afghan National Police development officer, 1st Mar Div (Fwd), who pinned on his new rank of major.

“It’s nice when you have somebody of the caliber of Lt. Col. Bell that wants to pass his rank down to you,” said Draa, 32, from Baltimore. “You take it as a compliment, and that he thinks that much of you.”
The ceremony concluded with more than 100 fellow service members lining up to congratulate Manion, Bell and Draa.

Each of the newly promoted officers understand that with their new rank comes greater responsibility, an opportunity they embrace as they strive to build an even stronger partnership with the 1st Marine Division and ANSF.

• Date Taken: 10.03.2010
• Date Posted: 10.03.2010 02:08
• Story ID: 57394
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF