Color sergeant leads from front

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Paris Capers | Sgt. Alex Tucker, base color sergeant, Ceremonial Platoon, explains an upcoming event to his Marines. Tucker, a Philadelphia native, is Quantico’s 13th color sergeant since 1999.  

QUANTICO, VA, UNITED STATES

12.18.2012

Story by Cpl. Paris Capers 

Marine Corps Base Quantico

QUANTICO, Va. - Flanked by Marines to his left and right, a stone-faced man, eyes fierce and locked into the distance, gives the command: “Carry, colors.”

The men snap into action. Rifles crack under their well practiced hands as they rise to left and right shoulder arms. He raises the national ensign high in one swoop and freezes in synch with the corporal to his left.

“Ready, set,” he grunts, as he and the corporal seat their flags into the chest harnesses they wear.

“Ready, two,” he says, prompting the four men to quickly tear their hands through the air to their trouser seams in unison and begin to march shoulder-to-shoulder.

This is the Marine Corps Base Quantico color guard in action, led by Philadelphia native Sgt. Alex Tucker, the newly appointed base color sergeant.

Tucker, a warehouse clerk by trade, seized the position through a selection process in which he stood apart from his peers.

Tucker carries the national ensign and gives the necessary commands for movements and rendering honors during drill exercises or parade ceremonies. He is also responsible for the training and performance of the members. It is one of the most visible positions basewide and thus is hand-selected by the base sergeant major.

“As the color sergeant you are the face of Quantico,” Tucker said. “You have to look the part, dress the part, and represent both Quantico and the Marine Corps to the fullest.”

Tucker fit right into the position, as he was Security Battalion’s color sergeant before being chosen to represent the entire base.

“Sgt. Tucker was chosen because, right away, I could see he had that energy we needed,” said Staff Sgt. Evans Janvier, staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of ceremonial platoon. “His uniform was squared away, he stood upright, spoke with confidence, and he was so enthused about just being considered.”

Janvier has evaluated Tucker as a hungry, young sergeant ready to lead, motivate and stamp his mark on the billet of color sergeant, and Tucker’s enthusiasm for his new duties shines through.

“What I love about ceremonial platoon is the same as my love for the Marine Corps,” said Tucker. “The Marines. They are the reason why I reenlist.”


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• Date Taken: 12.18.2012
• Date Posted: 12.19.2012 12:07
• Story ID: 99539
• Location: QUANTICO, VA, US
• Hometown: PHILADELPHIA, PA, US