Photo By Keith Hayes | (Left) Public Affairs Officer Rob Jackson, Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, looks...... read more read more
BARSTOW, Calif. - The last Marine to serve with the Public Affairs office at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., has ended his enlistment. The reorganization of the PAO by Headquarters Marine Corps means no more active-duty Marines at PA shops not connected with deployable bases.
Cpl. Norman Eckles is getting out of the Marine Corps after serving three years with the Public Affairs Office at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif.
When he drives out the gate, MCLB Barstow will say goodbye to the last active duty Marine to hold the PAO slot here. Headquarters Marine Corps has mandated a reorganization of the PA field to place more public affairs Marines with the Fleet in the very near future.
Eckles believes taking away the Marines from the PAO shop is going to be expensive. “I think this base does need Marine PAOs (to cover) the Mounted Color Guard and for weekend events that would cost the government a lot of money (in temporarily assigned duty costs) for civilians.”
As with many who chose to enlist, Eckles was at a crossroads in his life that demanded a change. “I joined the Marine Corps because I wanted to do something better with my life,” he said. “When I checked with the military recruiters, the Marine Corps had the best to offer of what I needed from being in the military.”
When he first joined he wanted to be an aviation mechanic, but that wasn’t available at the time so the recruiter offered him a choice of two jobs, one of which was public affairs.
Eckles said he made a contact in Defense Information School at Fort Meade, Md., who put him on the short list for an opening at the MCLB Barstow PAO.
Being a native of Covina, Calif., Eckles jumped at the chance to get back to his home state. “I used to go dirt bike riding out here all the time,” he said, “and I never even knew there was a Marine Corps base out here.”
Having spent three years at MCLB Barstow, Eckles said he’s enjoyed his stay. “This base is slow-paced and pretty easygoing. The PAO job is demanding but it’s not like we’re writing four or five stories a week. Overall, I liked being here.”
Like many getting out of the Corps, Eckles intends to further his education. “I plan on getting a job, going to school and collecting on the GI Bill in the hopes of one day owning my own business,” he said. “And if that doesn’t work out, then I’ll become a police officer.”
Eckles credits the Marine Corps with shaping his life for the better. “The Marine Corps has definitely helped me with discipline and watching my mouth when I need to. It’s helped me to transform from being a teenager into a man with all of the Corps values of honor, courage and commitment.”
Originally Eckles joined the military to play his part in the war effort. “One of the reasons I joined the Corps was because of the possibility of being deployed, but I never got my chance,” he said. “Dedicating yourself to something that you know could possibly kill you is a pretty big step in life.”
Eckles said he doesn’t regret not seeing action. “When I talk to combat veterans they tell me it’s a good thing I wasn’t deployed because they saw things that no human should ever see.”
The 21-year-old combat correspondent said he’s going to have some good memories of his time in service. “I’m going to miss this shop and the people here. We’re more of a team and family than just co-workers,” Eckles said. “I’m going to miss all of the people who I’ve worked with and that I would never have met if I hadn’t joined the Corps.”
Eckles has praise for the people he’s worked with. “I wanted to thank the PAO staff for the last three years helping me out in the job and making me more proficient at it. I want to thank all of the Marines that I’ve served with for making me a better Marine, for teaching me things in my command and for being there when I needed them.”
| Date Taken: | 07.23.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.05.2015 11:42 |
| Story ID: | 172215 |
| Location: | BARSTOW, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 57 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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