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    HQBN CO Determined to Improve Marines’ Lives

    MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, UNITED STATES

    07.27.2015

    Story by Cpl. Brittney Vella 

    Marine Corps Base Hawaii

    MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - When asked what his biggest priorities are, Lt. Col. Michael L. Brooks, the commanding officer of Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, immediately answered that his job is to focus on and improve the lives of his Marines.

    “The thing I look forward to most is waking up and coming to work,” said Brooks, a South Boston, Va., native. “Every day I come in and see the Marines on the quarterdeck conducting their duty change over. I love to greet (them) and find out where they work. That’s what I look forward to (the most).”

    Brooks took command of the battalion June 22, 2015 and is pushing hard to accomplish three short-term goals: lower the battalion’s force preservation numbers, further improve the current barracks conditions, and create more leadership opportunities for the battalion’s non-commissioned officers.

    According to Marine Corps Order 5100.29B, force preservation is defined as an established vibrant and viable safety program that maintains combat readiness but eliminates preventable mishaps, while preserving the Marine Corps’ most precious assets ⎯ the Marines, Sailors, civilian personnel and equipment.

    “(For the) Marines who are in the medium to high category (on the risk management scale), we need to focus on finding out what is stressing them and direct them towards the subject matter experts that can help them,” Brooks said. “Too often, Marines receive help after it’s too late.”

    Brooks said the Marine’s quality of life is important and the quality of the barracks should not be a stressor. He said he’s working with the right people to improve the barracks the Marines are currently living in.

    “A decade ago everybody was deploying and getting tax-free money with nowhere to spend it,” Brooks said. “When they (returned), the younger Marines were going out and buying flat screen TVs and making their rooms look really nice. Today, young Marines haven’t had that opportunity. I don’t want them to feel forced to put things on credit to buy things. I want them to feel comfortable (where they live).”

    Brooks wants to install TVs and DVD players in the recreation rooms, grills for each of the barracks, and to better equip the laundry rooms. He said he does not want the service members to wait for those upgraded conditions and wants to create a comfortable living environment for his Marines as soon as possible.

    Brooks also said he wants to empower the battalion’s NCOs and create more leadership opportunities for them.

    “Many of our NCOs are completing Sergeants’ (or) Corporals’ Course and are immediately returning to their shops after completion,” Brooks said. “Our NCOs learn a lot of good information in these courses and (may be) unable to use it. I want to create more opportunities for them to implement what they have learned.”

    Brooks said he has many ideas for the battalion and is working hard to make these changes happen in the near future.

    “As the commanding officer, my whole mission is devoted to taking care of Marines, Sailors and their families,” Brooks said.

    Brooks goals directly support the mission of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, which is to provide facilities, programs
    and services in direct support of units, individuals and families in order to enhance and sustain combat readiness for all operating forces and tenant
    organizations aboard the installation.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.27.2015
    Date Posted: 07.29.2015 21:51
    Story ID: 171455
    Location: MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, US

    Web Views: 34
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN