First senior Admiral Cullison Award recipient retires after 30 years of service

Photo By Sgt. Nicholas Lubchenko | Master Chief James Baker, the former command master chief of Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, retires after 30 years of service at Marston Pavilion on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, July 13. “Take the military for what it is worth,” said Baker. “Don’t be comfortable, go out there and explore the world. Every time you get the chance to volunteer for something new, volunteer.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas Lubchenko)  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

07.13.2018

Story by Lance Cpl. Nicholas Lubchenko 

Marine Corps Installations East       

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – The former command master chief of Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, Master Chief James Baker, retired at Marston Pavilion on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, July 13, after 30 years of service, leaving a positive impact on corpsmen throughout the Navy.
Baker was the first to receive the senior Admiral Cullison Award, which recognizes senior and junior corpsmen at NMCCL for their lifetime of service and contributions to the Hospital Corps. The junior Admiral Cullison Award recipient, Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick O’Meara, claimed that receiving the award alongside Baker was an honor.
“If anyone asks (a corpsman) who is Master Chief Baker, you don’t have to elaborate, everyone already knows,” said O’Meara. “If you say you’re doing something with Master Chief Baker, it is automatic accreditation because of who he is.”
Twenty years of Baker's career was spent as a Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman working with various Marine reconnaissance battalions – serving in six continents and 48 countries.
“He has had all of the hard jobs and has lived the life,” said Navy Capt. James Hancock, commanding officer of NMCCL. “Days before his retirement, at 8:30 at night he was training corpsman while on leave. That speaks volumes.”
Baker was known for his common phrase, “What can I do for you?” He was a mentor and a role model to many Corpsmen and many of them stated their gratitude for his mentorship.
“Master Chief Baker always made me question myself in the best of ways,” said Seaman Robert “Skippy” Johnson, a student with special operations combat medical course in Fort Bragg. “‘Why am I here’ and ‘what do I want’ are just some of the questions that run through my mind and reaffirm my dedication. When I go through tough times, I can just think about what he taught me.”
According to many who attended the ceremony, every interaction with Baker was a teaching moment. One of the phrases that Baker lives by and attempts to instill to his fellow Corpsman is Esse quam videri – North Carolina’s state motto meaning “To be, rather than to appear.”
“A lot of folks like to appear tough, smart and rich,” said Baker. “We like to appear whatever society wants us to be. We don’t have to appear – be who you are. Own what you are. Own what you have and own what you do. If you do that, the world is yours once again.”
During his time in service, Baker received many awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and multiple campaign and service ribbons.

• Date Taken: 07.13.2018
• Date Posted: 07.18.2018 08:15
• Story ID: 284708
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US