Bronx Marine, deployed to Okinawa, leads by example

Photo By Staff Sgt. Bernadette Wildes | Cpl. Noel Mayorqa, from the Bronx, New York, is a squad leader with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Marine Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. As a squad leader he ensures the platoon leader’s intent is being met by making sure each task is done quickly and efficiently. He’s also in charge of accountability, training and the general well-being of his squad. The 31st MEU provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance, throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region as the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bernadette Wildes/Released)  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

01.05.2018

Story by Cpl. Bernadette Wildes  

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit       

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan (Dec. 1, 2017) –“I could care less about the awards, the rank, or any of the stuff that I’ve been given,” said Noel Mayorqa. “I want to be an example to my squad. That’s what I strive for.”
Mayorqa, a corporal squad leader with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Marine Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, works hard at everything he does and continues to stand out because of the type of leader he is. He is knowledgeable, hardworking and, most of all, humble.
As a squad leader he ensures the platoon leader’s intent is being met by making sure each task is done quickly and efficiently. He’s also in charge of accountability, training and the general well-being of his squad. He knows each job within his squad with great detail so he can help guide and shape his squad to perfectly execute the mission.
“I’ve learned everything about being a radio operator from him,” said Lance Cpl. Mason Townsley. “He taught me how to communicate, how to be a better rifleman and how to be a better person.”
Townsley, a radio operator in Mayorqa’s squad, says he doesn’t want to be in any other squad because of Mayorqa’s leadership.
“He never lets us slack off,” Townsley said. “He always strives for us to be better and he’s always pushing to improve himself. It’s really awesome working with someone who is very dedicated to his job.”
Mayorqa first started his career at Marine Barracks Washington 8th and I, where he spent two years focusing on drill. He participated in over 150 standard funerals, 50 full honor funerals and 4 different special teams.
“They are really strict on the little things – the way your uniform looks, the way you drill,” said Mayorqa. “They always told me that the little things matter. I got a lot of discipline from 8th and I. They also taught me to be confident, respectful and humble.”
Mayorqa said when he checked in with BLT 1/1 he didn’t know anything about being a rifleman. The newer Marines knew more than he did but that didn’t slow him down. Mayorqa came to 1/1 with a positive attitude and ready to learn, said SSgt. Stuart Sanford, the platoon sergeant for 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company.
“He didn’t know everything, but we threw him in a lot of different positions,” Sanford said. “He excelled, and is now one of the best squad leaders in Alpha Company.”
Mayorqa said once he started to learn the information he just wanted more.
“I didn’t do it to stand out with my peer group or be the best,” Mayorqa said. “I did it because I wanted to know my job and I wanted to share the knowledge that I know. I want to better myself so I can better the Marines to my left and my right.”
Mayorqa plans to stay in the Marine Corps as long as he can to continue to push himself and the Marines around him.
“It’s never been about me when it comes to the Marine Corps,” Mayorqa said. “It was for the brothers to the left and right of me. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for my Marines.”

• Date Taken: 01.05.2018
• Date Posted: 01.04.2018 23:30
• Story ID: 261367
• Location: OKINAWA, JP