Photo By Sgt. Ricardo Deseanogomez | U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Matthew Niño, a barracks manager with Headquarters and Support...... read more read more
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CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan -- A common debate about leadership doctrine in the Marine Corps is about which comes first, the mission or troop welfare. Cpl. Matthew Niño does not have to worry about this, as his mission is troop welfare.
Niño, Company B barracks manager with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, wanted to find the most direct way to take care of his fellow Marines. In August 2021, he sought out and took on the challenges, responsibilities and duties as a barracks manager.
Niño, a McAllen, Texas, native joined the Marine Corps in November 2017, and was sent overseas for his first duty station in Okinawa, Japan, with MCIPAC Brig in June 2018. Originally a correctional specialist, Niño was responsible for the well-being and security of prisoners. However, he felt that there could always be more that he could do.
“Being a barracks manager means I have many Marines looking up to me and coming to me directly for guidance,” said Niño. “Whether it is a problem with their room that I can fix, or a question I can answer as a noncommissioned officer, I’m always eager to help and mentor.”
Over 200 Marines reside at the Company B barracks, maintained by Niño. When not performing their duties or executing leave and liberty, most Marines reside in and maintain their rooms in the barracks. Ensuring the upkeep and maintenance of the bachelor enlisted living quarters directly supports unit morale, cohesion and overall quality of life for Marines.
One may expect the role of barracks manager to have regular working hours, but Niño is on call 24/7. According to Niño, his daily responsibilities consist of maintaining residential records, reporting and fixing building maintenance issues, and ensuring the safe care of Marines under restriction of movement.
“If something needs to be fixed, I’m the first one that Marines in my barracks come to,” said Niño. “If something is taking longer than it should, I am the one to speed up the maintenance process and ensure discrepancies are fixed as quickly as possible.”
“He’s helped us get new washers and dryers,” said Sgt. David Espinoza “Some people got new fridges. We got new couches and T.V.s in the lounges again. He’s really cleaning up the place and doing good things.”
Espinoza, a combat engineer with MCIPAC, explains that he has seen more than enough barracks managers in his two years of living there. However, according to Espinoza, none have gone nearly as far as Niño to ensure the welfare of the Marines around him.
“The most important part of being a barracks manager is troop welfare,” said Espinoza. “He goes above and beyond, consistently doing the unexpected. Cpl. Niño has set the bar really high for future managers.”
Niño is more than just an outstanding Marine and barracks manager, he also enjoys photography, volunteering with the USO, and staying active by playing sports.
“Sometimes after work, I like coming out here to play soccer with the Camp Foster team,” said Niño. “There are great players and great people out here, so it’s nice to interact with the locals and service members outside of work.”
Since 2019, Niño has played with the Brig team, named Code Blue, and the Camp Hansen soccer team, Football Club Fuego. More recently, Niño has been playing with Dream Team, the Camp Foster soccer team, after his leadership invited him to a game. Dream Team is made up of Marines, sailors, airmen and Master Labor Contractors.
Having been playing soccer since he was in third grade, it has always been a fun pastime that Niño can return to if he is stressed. Shortly after arriving to Okinawa, Niño has once again found himself playing the sport he loves.
Although Niño does admit his job puts a lot of pressure on him, he believes it is more than worth it. According to Niño, being a barracks manager is all about providing guidance.
“My favorite part about this job is interacting with different Marines everyday,” said Niño. “Whether it is a Marine just arriving on Okinawa, or someone who is on their way out, I’m the one they go to for help.”
| Date Taken: | 10.22.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 10.21.2021 22:08 |
| Story ID: | 407760 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | MCALLEN, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 274 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Faces of MCIPAC: Cpl. Matthew Niño - Beyond Expectations, by Sgt Ricardo Deseanogomez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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