Photo By Sgt. William Perkins | U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Joshua W. Hairston, the staff non-commissioned officer for...... read more read more
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UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Joshua W. Hairston, the staff non-commissioned officer of the Law Enforcement Detachment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, received the Jim Kallstrom Award for Leadership while in the Central Command area of operations, March 11, 2015.
Hairston earned the award by mentoring Marines, influencing subordinate elements through effective training, operating outside his military occupational specialty as a Watch Chief in the command’s Crisis Response Operations Center, and positively impacting the unit and its mission on all levels.
The Kallstrom awards are given annually and divided into two categories: leadership and bravery. The awards are exclusively for military police officers in the Marine Corps.
“When I received this award, I was really shocked, surprised in a way”, said Hairston. “I didn’t think other Marines [thought] I deserved this award.”
Hairston’s officer-in-charge, 1st Lt. Aaron Balderson, nominated him for the award after observing Hairston around his Marines. Balderson said Hairston has a true understanding for training new Marines and influencing the old.
“He sets a great example for the Marines under him and any Marine that comes into contact with him,” said Balderson. “There are so many things that set him apart: his initiative to get things done that need to be done, [seek leadership opportunities], and …to complete the mission with whatever he has available to him.”
Senior leadership looks to Hairston when a tough assignment is brought forward and needs to be accomplished.
The Command Element’s Headquarters Company senior enlisted advisor, 1st Sgt. Jason Politte, said, “Gunnery Sgt. Hairston is the epitome of every staff non-commissioned officer. I wish I had 10 of him.”
Hairston is excited about receiving the award, but it’s not about awards for him. It’s the opportunity to be a good Marine.
“I never thought about receiving awards, and being owed something,” said Hairston, an Atlanta, Ga., native. “The only thing that I thought I was owed was earning the title of a Marine and that’s it. Everything else is just icing on the cake.”
It was a surprise to Hairston after he learned he was selected for the Jim Kallstrom award for leadership. Hairston didn’t try to do anything outside of being a leader for his Marines and setting the example.
“To me it’s not about just my job field as a corrections specialist or any specific [military occupational specialty]. It’s about being a Marine and that’s what I take pride in,” said Hairston. “Being a Marine is my profession.”
Hairston loves what he does because it’s formed him into the person he is today.
“When somebody asks me what I do, I don’t tell them that I’m military police. I tell them that I’m a United States Marine,” Hairston said. “I love being a leader of Marines, a gunnery sergeant. Not just a leader of the 20 Marines I have here. I enjoy being a leader to all Marines. I feel like I need to be that go-to guy and multi-tool when it comes to getting the job done.”
When he initially joined the Marine Corps, he never saw himself where he is today.
“When I joined the Marine Corps, the nearest goal that I had was just completing recruit training,” said Hairston. “I never saw myself sitting here as a [gunnery sergeant] on a deployment.”
But once Hairston completed MOS school and gained operational experience, he knew continuing past a single enlistment is what he wanted to do.
“When I got to the [Fleet Marine Forces] I thought I would just do my enlistment, get out, go to college and do other things,” said Hairston. “But after a couple years in the Marine Corps it was contagious; the brotherhood and being around other Marines.”
Hairston’s love for the challenges of the Marine Corps made him the leader he is today, and he hopes to see Marines strive to receive the award next year.
“Anytime that a Marine uses me as a benchmark or an example to try to get to where I’m at, it makes me feel good,” said Hairston. “It reminds me that I’m doing a good job and helping Marines achieve their goals.”
This isn’t the end of the road for Hairston. He plans to make the most out of his career and potential.
“I hope junior Marines see this and try to pass me,” said Hairston. “That’s how I look at my senior leaders. I see what they’ve done and I’m trying to be better than them. I also expect Marines would want to be better than me as well.”
Gunnery Sergeant Hairston is honored for the recognition and award. He’s looking forward to continuing to lead Marines and setting the example for those ready to follow in his footsteps.
| Date Taken: | 03.11.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.12.2015 07:38 |
| Story ID: | 156739 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Hometown: | ATLANTA, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 592 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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