Photo By Sgt. Jack Rigsby | Joseph Blackmon, medical readiness officer of 6th Marine Corps District, poses for a...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. – Roughly 80% of service members leave the Department of Defense after four years to pursue other careers, but a 6th Marine Corps District family has given a combined 60 years to this nation through either active military service or as civilian DOD employees.
Sandra Blackmon, spent 37 years as a DOD employee, and Joseph Blackmon spent 20 years as a U.S. Navy corpsman before becoming the medical readiness officer for 6th MCD. The Blackmon’s have shown their dedication to the nation beyond what the average person would contribute.
“We met through one of our friends who set us up on a blind date for Valentine’s Day,” said Sandra.
The Blackmon’s both worked aboard Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia in 1983. Sandra worked as a naval drug screening lab supervisor and Joseph worked as a Navy corpsman at Sewell’s Point Branch Medical Clinic.
“I cooked her dinner and made lobster, and while we were eating, she started braking out with big bumps,” said Joseph. “I didn’t have any medication, so we had to go to the local pharmacy.”
Even after a botched date, they stayed together, and on Feb. 14, 1990, The Blackmon’s got married and have been married for 30 years.
After leaving Norfolk, the Blackmon’s got the opportunity to serve in the town of Keflavik in the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland. For six years, Sandra worked as the secretary of protocol to the Iceland Defense Forces joint base commanding general. She oversaw all travel and event preparations for all incoming dignitaries, to include the U.S. vice president. At the same time Joseph worked as an advanced X-ray technician at U.S. Naval Hospital Keflavik.
The Blackmon’s left for Beaufort, South Carolina in 1999. Joseph worked at the Branch Health Clinic Parris Island, from 1999 until his retirement in 2003, as a Petty Officer First Class.
After retiring from the military service, Joseph worked at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, until he got a position at 6th MCD.
“I was a Navy corpsman working with people that had doctorate’s degrees and master’s degrees in nursing, but I gained all the necessary skills through my time in the military,” said Joseph.
After a year of working at a Beaufort attorney’s office, Sandra applied and became a member of the 6th MCD team. She became the command secretary in 2001.
“Mrs. Blackmon, she’s like the mother of district headquarters,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Haines Jr., executive officer of 6th MCD. “She’s part of the culture here and without her it would probably be a lonely place.”
Utilizing the skills he developed over the years of work, both in and out of the military, Joseph assists 6th MCD’s medical and safety readiness.
“He has made sure that we have the best fit force medically out there,” said Col. William Gray, commanding officer of 6th MCD. “He knows who to call and how to get them into treatment.”
The Blackmon’s employ their individual skillsets at the 6th MCD to assist the Marines and families that they support. Sandra provides travel arrangements for the district command members and Joseph assists with all medical documentation for Marines and their family members.
“These two individuals greatly enhance our ability and our efficiencies because of what they do and the services that they provide,” said Sgt. Maj. William Banks III, sergeant major of 6th MCD. “When you look at the experience that they have on the same level their impact is just immense.”
| Date Taken: | 08.03.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2020 15:38 |
| Story ID: | 375152 |
| Location: | PARRIS ISLAND, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 35 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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