Photo By Staff Sgt. S.T. Stewart | Captain Joseph M. Pizzillo, new commanding officer for Headquarters and Service...... read more read more
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MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania – Captain Joseph M. Pizzillo assumed command of Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, from Capt. Todd Richardson, during a ceremony at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, April 16.
Currently deployed as the Black Sea Rotational Force, approximately 500 Marines from 2nd Bn., 8th Marines are postured in Romania to provide theater security cooperation with NATO Allies and partners in Eastern Europe with the ability to respond to a broad range of military operations in the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe area of responsibility.
The Headquarters Company provides support to the battalion.
“The infantry battalion lives and breathes from the H&S Co., because we provide the robust capabilities for the infantry Marines to fight,” said Pizzillo, a native of Sayreville, N.J. “Without an H&S Co., the rifle and weapons companies of infantry battalions can’t succeed. It is an important position to be in. For me it is a double edged sword where I am improving myself and having an impact on Marines.”
Pizzillo, recently promoted to captain in March, joined the unit as the H&S Co., executive officer Jan. 5, after recently returning from a deployment with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
His appointment to commanding officer of a company marks a first for Pizzillo.
“What I look forward to most, is having the ability to impact a Marine’s life and change him for the better, make him a better Marine and a better person,” said Pizzillo. “If I can impact my Marines’ lives, if I can impact them to make a better citizen and a better American, then we are improving the country overall.”
Richardson joined 2nd Bn., 8th Marines in March 2012, and has served in multiple company-level commander roles throughout his tenure. He was appointed to his most recent position, June 2014.
“I learned that brilliance and the basics are important,” said Richardson, speaking to his time with the battalion, during which he deployed to Afghanistan and the Black Sea Rotational Force. “Both are very different environments; however, in both environments you have to understand basic (military occupational specialty) proficiency. If you can do that, than you can really do anything.”
Richardson said his time with 2nd Bn., 8th Marines, reinforced the need to focus on the basics with the Marines in order to be successful.
“You have to be able to respond to whatever support requirements and support request there are,” said Richardson. “If you want to be a responsive force you have to have a flexible support plan. The Marines of H&S always provided a flexible support plan, and they performed magnificently.”
With his selection to major, Richardson will move on to attend the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterrey, Calif., to become a foreign area officer with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region. He will also attend the Defense Language Institute to study Mandarin prior to assignment to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.
| Date Taken: | 04.16.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2015 11:18 |
| Story ID: | 161137 |
| Location: | MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, RO |
| Hometown: | SAYREVILLE, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 687 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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