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CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan – As the U.S. Navy celebrates its 250th birthday, Sailors serving alongside Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (III MIG) are reflecting on the enduring Navy–Marine Corps partnership and the vital role they play in supporting expeditionary operations across the Indo-Pacific.
From the earliest days of the Republic, Marines have embarked aboard Navy ships to project power from the sea. That tradition continues today in Okinawa, where Sailors bring their naval expertise directly into Marine Corps units, strengthening command and control across the force.
“Serving in the Navy, to include the Department of the Navy—both Marines and Sailors—is unique because we are probably the most forward-facing and globally engaged service,” said Lt. Ulises Bennett, assistant operations officer and naval gunfire liaison officer with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III MIG. “We’re the only ones who can deploy virtually anywhere and operate as normal, sustaining operations almost to an infinite capacity.”
Bennett said working alongside Marines has given him a renewed perspective on the Navy–Marine Corps relationship and the importance of maintaining naval identity within joint environments.
“If you lose sight of yourself as a Navy service member, you miss out on what makes serving together so special,” Bennett said. “Sailors bring a certain je ne sais quoi—an indescribable quality—especially when you’re the token Navy person in the room. It’s important to remember that we are Navy, and that identity matters. When we bring our culture and expertise into the Marine Corps, it strengthens the joint force.”
As a naval gunfire liaison officer, Bennett serves as the critical link between sea and shore— helping to leverage naval firepower to support the ground fight and connecting two services with distinct missions but a shared goal.
For Bennett, that connection extends beyond professional collaboration—it’s a personal commitment built on mutual respect and shared purpose.
“I consider myself lucky to have had this opportunity,” he said. “My first tour was aboard an amphibious assault ship with a Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the Marines were my favorite part. Later, I served on a carrier as a nuke, but I knew I wanted to work directly with Marines again. The camaraderie, the culture, and the accountability to each other’s goals are stronger here. Marines help each other without expecting anything in return—that’s something special.”
Looking to the future, Bennett believes the Navy–Marine Corps relationship will only grow stronger as the naval services continue to refine joint capabilities across the Indo-Pacific.
“I think we’ll continue to evolve if we increase interoperability between branches,” Bennett said. “As a Navy, we see the value in the positions held by Sailors—they make communication easier and improve our ability to operate together seamlessly.”
“If you ever have the opportunity to serve in a joint environment, take it,” he added. “Thinking across all domains makes you a better warfighter. It gives you perspective, adaptability, and a greater appreciation for the team that makes our operations possible.”
As the Navy marks 250 years of service, Sailors like Bennett embody the living spirit of naval integration. Together with their Marine teammates, they continue a legacy of partnership, professionalism, and purpose—anchored in the commitment to defend freedom across the Indo-Pacific.
| Date Taken: | 10.09.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.19.2025 01:01 |
| Story ID: | 550083 |
| Location: | CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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