3rd Marine Division says farewell to Sgt. Maj. Santiago

Photo By Cpl. Carl King | Sgt. Maj. Vincent Santiago congratulates Sgt. Maj. Dennis Bradley at a relief and appointment ceremony Feb. 27, 2018, on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. Santiago served as the sergeant major of the CALTRAP Nation since June of 2015 and will now move on to become the very first Command Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Defense Security Cooperation Agency in Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps graphic by Cpl. Carl King)  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

02.27.2018

Story by 1st Lt. Ryan Lowcher 

3rd Marine Division     

CAMP COURTNEY, Okinawa, Japan - Sgt. Maj. Vincent C. Santiago relinquished his duties as the sergeant major of the 3rd Marine Division during a relief and appointment ceremony today on Camp Courtney.
Santiago has served as the sergeant major of the CALTRAP Nation since June of 2015 and will now move on to become the very first Command Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Defense Security Cooperation Agency in Virginia.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone as invested in the careers of our young Marines as Sgt. Maj. Santiago,” said Maj. Gen. Craig Q. Timberlake, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Division.

“It has been my absolute pleasure to be your partner in leadership and I wish you and your family the best in everything you do,” Timberlake said. “I look forward to serving with you again someday.”

During the ceremony, Santiago thanked the many who have supported him and his family throughout his tenure with the CALTRAP Nation. “It’s all about the Marines and their families, without their support we can’t accomplish the mission,” Santiago said.

Santiago’s replacement is Sgt. Maj. Dennis M. Bradley, who served previously as the sergeant major for Joint Task Force Guantanamo.

“While tough, he’s respectful and compassionate,” said Timberlake about Santiago. “For over 28 years his passion for service and loyalty to his family, America and our Corps has been tightly woven into the fabric of his character. His character and his warrior’s blood line run straight through the hearts and minds of every Marine and sailor of the 3rd Marine Division.”


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• Date Taken: 02.27.2018
• Date Posted: 02.27.2018 04:41
• Story ID: 267319
• Location: OKINAWA, JP