Ronald Reagan Celebrates USMC Birthday

SEA OF JAPAN

11.11.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Janweb Lagazo 

USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76)   

SEA OF JAPAN – Sailors and civilians aboard the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), celebrated the United States Marine Corps’ 242nd birthday Nov. 10.
“It was an honor to have served with the Marine Corps,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Adalberto Gutierrez, from Palm Springs, California, who served as a fleet marine force (FMF) Sailor embedded within a USMC unit. “The camaraderie within the corps is unique and completely different than anything else.”
That same bond resonated with the 26 Sailors and civilians who attended the birthday celebration held in the command master chief’s conference room. The small group stood in reverence as the Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller’s birthday message was read to those in attendance and a short video message played.
“Marines have fought with an inner spirit – a spirit that bonds us, binds us together as a cohesive team,” reads the message. “Victory in battle comes through the integrated efforts of many – teamwork. We value the sacrifices and contributions of every Marine and Sailor.”
“There’s definitely a strong and unwavering bond between Sailors and Marines,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Peter Noll, from Hampton, Virginia. “It’s one family and one team. The Sailors here, who have served with Marines in environments like Iraq and Afghanistan as chaplains and corpsmen, bring that cohesion and it becomes an important link.”
Noll, a former Marine before transitioning to the Navy, said he was honored to have worn the uniform and proud to have earned the title. The values, ethics and discipline he acquired during his time in the USMC have translated well into his Navy career.
“Uncommon valor is a common virtue amongst Marines,” said Lt. Jason Owen, a chaplain and former FMF corpsman. “The Marines have always brought a unique aspect to our military.”
The Oakland, California, native has served with Marines as a corpsman early in his career and as a chaplain in more recent years. He said it was a blessing that he was able to serve with the same Marines in both capacities.
“This celebration shows that the contact these Sailors had with the Marines impressed them,” said Mark Watson, a civilian avionics technical advisor, from Marysville, Washington, who retired as a gunnery sergeant in 2002. “They’ll always carry that piece of the Marine Corps with them.”
Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 11.11.2017
• Date Posted: 12.26.2017 20:45
• Story ID: 260215
• Location: SEA OF JAPAN