Photo By Keith Hayes | Will Artis worked almost every facet of the Marine Corps Community Service at Marine...... read more read more
The new Operations officer for Marine Corps Community Services aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., is a native of New York City.
Will Artis assumed the seat of MCCS Operations officer at MCLB Barstow on Jan. 16, coming from MCCS at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune where he served in almost every division, in some capacity or another.
“There’s a real family environment (at MCLB Barstow) and I love it,” Artis said. “They’ve shown me a lot of hospitality and have accepted me very well. I’m excited about working here.”
Artis is a former Marine who got out as a Corporal and has been working for the federal government ever since.
He applied for the position at MCLB Barstow when it opened up.
“The Operations officer position is a role that reaches every division,” Artis explained. “We basically work in coordination with the Commanders guidance for all MCCS projects and make sure we meet his intent for their operation.”
He is still acclimating himself to MCLBB.
“The biggest challenge right now is learning the difference between how business is done at MCIWEST vice MCIEAST, specific to the Barstow population. There are some obvious differences,” Artis pointed out.
“Coming from Camp Lejeune they had 40,000 to 50,000 Marines, Sailors and their families, an Army contingent and a Coast Guard contingent, so it was on a very, very big scale.”
The small size of MCLBB makes the environment a “very close-knit family.”
“It’s not as large, but the same services have to be provided to meet the needs of the population we do serve, so that’s the biggest challenge I have,” Artis said.
He said the main operations for the MCCS organization are still handled by Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Since the merge, there have been many improvements and upgrades to the various services aboard base.
“Route 66 Café is one of the fabulous facilities that accommodates Marines and their families,” Artis said. “The Active Duty Recreation Center, home of the Single Marine Program, helps acclimate single Marines to the military environment.
“Right now we’re really excited about the renovation of the bowling alley,” Artis said. “Great progress is being made. We’re going to get some food services in there, new décor and other interests that will make this a great environment for Marines and their families. It’s going to reopen sometime in the early spring.”
“When I arrived here, I was surprised to see the Golf Course and how wonderful it is. I really didn’t expect to find a golf course to the capacity that you have here.”
“The work that was done on the club house has really made it a beautiful facility.”
Artis said he is also a huge basketball and sports fan.
Artis had a chance to meet up with a former commanding officer of MCLBB to discuss what he can expect when he gets here.
“Colonel (Michael) Scalise is the Deputy Commander of MCB Camp Lejeune,” he said, “So when he heard I was coming to Barstow we met and he gave me some insight into the Barstow area and told me how great Col. Karega is, and those words have been nothing more than true.”
Artis is also a well-educated man who says education is a passion for him.
“I’m a bit of an Academician. I love school and I have been constantly going to school for the past 17 years,” he said.
That constant education has paid off with multiple degree endeavors completed.
“Upon arrival, I witnessed great things going on here and immediately wanted to be a part of it. The staff here is wonderful,” he said.
“You can expect me to continue the work and provide the quality services the Marines and their families deserve.”
| Date Taken: | 02.08.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 02.12.2018 17:09 |
| Story ID: | 265758 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 116 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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