Photo By Sgt. Chris Garcia | Sergeant Maj. Manuel Colon, the outgoing sergeant major of 1st Battalion, 8th Marine...... read more read more
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By Lance Cpl. Chris Garcia
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division conducted a relief and appointment ceremony to welcome their new sergeant major, aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 12, 2015.
Sergeant Maj. Manuel Colon, the outgoing sergeant major of the battalion, passed the sword of office to Sgt. Maj. Brian S. Alsleben, the incoming sergeant major, to symbolize the passing of duties from one senior leader to the next.
“To the young Marines,” said Colon. “Hey fellas, nobody told you the Marine Corps was going to be easy and so you knew it, come to work every day, not sure if you like the job or not, doesn’t matter. You have the best leaders in the battalion, in the division. Learn from them, emulate them and live like them.”
Colon, who has been with 1/8, for more than two years, served as the first sergeant of four companies before being promoted to sergeant major in August of 2012.
“Sergeant Maj. Alsleben, you are inheriting a great battalion. I know you’re going to take the ball and move it up field,” Colon said.
Alsleben, who served as the Bridge Company First Sergeant for 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group prior to being posted as the 1/8 sergeant major, said it was truly an honor to be the unit’s new battalion sergeant major.
“Lieutenant Col. Kelley, I look forward to serving you,” said Sgt. Maj. Alsleben, a Denver, Colorado, native. “I know you have a very short time here, but I’m absolutely honored to be your battalion sergeant major. Sgt. Maj. Colon, I know I have some big shoes to fill, but like we talked about, it’s all about moving that ball forward and doing what we do as sergeants major, and I plan on doing that same thing.”
Alsleben concluded his speech with a message to the Marines:
“I’m a sergeant major, but what I really am is a servant to you,” said Alsleben “It is truly an honor to be standing here today, in front of Marines who are ready at any time to go forward and stomp a mud hole in the enemy and walk it dry. You look absolutely phenomenal today, I appreciate all your hard work and again I am your sergeant major, and it is truly a privilege.”
| Date Taken: | 03.17.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.17.2015 15:04 |
| Story ID: | 157257 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | DENVER, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 469 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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