Col. Scalise, former MCIEAST Deputy Commander Retires

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

10.05.2018

Story by Cpl. Breanna Weisenberger 

Marine Corps Installations East       

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Col. Michael Scalise, former Deputy Commander of Marine Corps Installations East, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune retired from the Marine Corps during a ceremony at the Officers’ Club, on MCB Camp Lejeune, Oct. 5.
“I do not have any memory where I didn’t want to be a Marine or was not a Marine,” said Scalise. “(When I graduated from Officer Candidate School) I called my mom, I called her collect, because I wanted to hear the operator say, ‘Will you accept the call from Lieutenant Scalise?’ And that was all calculated.”
During the ceremony, Scalise was awarded a Legion of Merit, Gold Star in lieu of Second Award for his outstanding service as assistant chief of staff G4, deputy commander and commander for MCIEAST MCB Camp Lejeune from July 2015 to November 2018. Scalise was also presented with the flag flown on Aug. 10 at John A. Lejeune Hall, MCIEAST Headquarters, MCB Camp Lejeune.
“Michael, on the occasion of your retirement, I want to thank you for your leadership, service and commitment to our Corps,” wrote Gen. Robert B. Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps in a letter. “Although I am unable to attend the ceremony, please know that I and thousands of Marines that you’ve affected along the way are with you in spirit. As you transition from more than 30 years as a United States Marine, I hope you will take a few minutes to reflect on all you have accomplished.”
As a young logistics officer with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Scalise deployed during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and completed a unit deployment to Okinawa. Scalise also served as Inspector-Instructor for the 4th Landing Support Battalion prior to being recognized for his performance as logistics officer and operations officer for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit during two Western Pacific deployments.
“He truly down deep in his bones, as deep as you can go, you love Marines and you love the Marine Corps,” said Brig. Gen. Julian D. Alford, right, commanding general, MCIEAST MCB Camp Lejeune. “You can be proud of 30 years of service, and it’s my honor to stand up here and to see you off. Semper Fi.”
In the field grade ranks, Scalise was commended for service as retention and release officer, and plans officer for the officer assignment branch at Manpower and Reserve Affairs Department. Scalise also served in 3rd Force Service Support Group as commanding officer and executive officer, after an assignment as military construction project officer at installations and logistics department, assuming the duties of executive officer Marine Wing Support Group 27 deploying to Al Anbar Province during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Upon return from deployment, Scalise assumed the command of Marine Wing Support Squadron 272. As a Colonel, Scalise worked as the director for Special Operations Command Africa, commanding officer in Marine Corps Logistics Barstow before being transfered to serve as assistant chief of staff, G4, MCIEAST, MCB Camp Lejeune.
“Today, as deputy commander for Marine Corps Installations East, your leadership has set conditions for the Corps future success long after your departure,” wrote Neller. “On behalf of the Marines who have served with you, and the Marines who will serve after you, thank you for your devotion, your contributions to the Corps warfighting legacy and its future are immeasurable.”
Joined by his wife and two children along with scores of other distinguished guests, Scalise summed up the totality of his career: “Everything good that happened to me in my life has had some link to the Marine Corps over the past 30 years.”
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• Date Taken: 10.05.2018
• Date Posted: 10.10.2018 10:40
• Story ID: 295900
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US