Photo By Staff Sgt. Mackenzie Gibson | Cpl. Blake Cannon stands proudly in front of B Battery unit logos at Marine Corps Air...... read more read more
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The word “confidence” has many different meanings depending who you ask. No matter what definition you use, the Marines around Cpl. Blake Cannon can agree that he exudes confidence every time he leads his Marines at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., June 7, 2017.
As a team leader assigned to 1st platoon of B Battery, 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Cannon has no regrets about joining the Marine Corps.
“I signed for a combat support military occupational specialty not knowing what I was getting into, ” said Cannon. “By the luck of the draw, I got LAAD [gunner].”
Assigned to 2nd LAAD Bn. for the last three and a half years, Cannon has taken part in dozens of exercises and training opportunities, including a deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2015. Throughout that time, 2nd LAAD Bn. continued to receive a new cycle of junior Marines every three months, and it was Cannon’s job to help train them.
“We do our best to make sure they know [their] job before we come out to the field to give them some practical application,” said Cannon. “I try to lead by example. When I tell a Marine to do something I make sure that I’m right there doing it with them.”
According to Cannon, his biggest challenge is preparing himself for the next step in his career. Currently a team leader, he now has his sights set on becoming a section leader or platoon sergeant. According to Cannon, he has to continue mastering the requirements of his MOS and develop as a leader.
“Work with the people above you, shadow them and do everything they do,” said Cannon. “Learn what not to do, learn from their mistakes and study your knowledge.”
Cannon credits his motivation, hard work and career to his parents.
“They’ve been supportive 100 percent of the time,” said Cannon. “They [supported] me through my first deployment and Unit Deployment Program. I would definitely like to thank them.”
Cannon is committed to his future as a Marine, as he reenlisted this past November to continue leading Marines.
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 06.09.2017 16:39 |
| Story ID: | 237122 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 124 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, FlybyFriday: Cannon leads the charge, by SSgt Mackenzie Gibson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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