Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Bill Lisbon | Sgt. Maj. Micheal Barrett, the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, speaks with Marines...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. - Sgt. Maj. Micheal P. Barrett, 17th sergeant major of the Marine Corps, made his first visit to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, June 23, to meet with 6th Marine Corps District personnel and to conduct a town-hall meeting with Marines here.
The town hall, restricted to Marines and sailors only, allowed the service members an opportunity to ask Barrett questions they had.
“I came here on this trip to not be the guy doing the talking. I came here to be the guy receiving,” Barrett said. “I want to hear from you; I want to know what’s on your mind, and I want to know how I can help.”
Barrett was chosen for the job by Gen. James Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps.
“He’s the best of the best,” Amos said in April after the selection. “Sgt. Maj. Barrett, through his long and distinguished service to our nation, has demonstrated that he is particularly well-suited to serve as my senior enlisted advisor through the challenges ahead.”
At the town hall, Barrett answered questions about changes in weapons systems, female physical fitness tests and uniforms, among other things. He also spoke of his pride in his Marines.
“I don’t need to know anything else about you; everything I need to know about you is sitting right in front of me,” Barrett said. “You’re wearing the uniform of a United States Marine, the most honorable and noble profession on the planet. You joined to serve – serve a free people living in a free society.”
Barrett made sure he left a good impression on the Marines.
“It was a good opportunity for the Marines to see him,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jorge Guerrero, one of the Marines who asked a question to the sergeant major of the Marine Corps.
Aside from answering the Marines’ questions, Barrett spoke about how successful Marines were at their missions and told stories of heroes. He described the visits he made to different duty stations and the influence those Marines had on him. One story of valor he shared, was that of deceased Sgt. Joe Wrightsman.
Wrightsman was part of a patrol crossing the Helmand River in Afghanistan when a member of the Afghan National Police was swept away in the river behind him, Barrett said. Without hesitation, Wrightsman, in full personal protective equipment, dove into the water in an effort to rescue the man, even though he, himself, could not swim.
“We’re talking about a Marine, full body armor, diving into the water to go after a man whose name he did not know and language which he did not speak,” Barrett said.
Wrightsman heedlessly went after a man who wasn’t a fellow Marine or even an American.
Marines are more than knuckle-dragging, in your face, smash-mouth warriors, Barrett said. The Corps’ culture revolves around more than warfighting.
“‘What are you inheriting from the 16th sergeant major of the Marine Corps? What are you getting?’” Barrett rhetorically questioned, referring to previous times he has been interviewed. “I would look at them and say ‘Fearless Marines – that’s what we’re getting and that’s the state of the Corps. Fearless!’”
Barrett then spoke about the depot Marines’ specific duty to the Corps.
“And you have the privilege of receiving those fine, young Americans and you get to turn them into those fearless, selfless Marines – that’s who we are.”
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.30.2011 09:58 |
| Story ID: | 73005 |
| Location: | PARRIS ISLAND, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 386 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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