Photo By Cpl. Mary Jenni | U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Hayden Lester, a helicopter mechanic with Marine Aircraft Group...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – As the clamor of power washers, hammers and power drills filled the air, Operation Clean Sweep III was well underway at the 24 Area Bachelor Enlisted Quarters on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. At the center of the bustle was U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Hayden Lester, a helicopter mechanic with Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 24 Area BEQ.
Clipboard in hand, Lester oversaw OCS III revitalization efforts throughout the 24 Area barracks from Sept. 15-26, 2025. Now, with OCS III concluded, Lester’s leadership and initiative have improved living conditions for more than 1,400 Marines.
“Cpl. Lester’s efforts during Operation Clean Sweep [III] directly improved the quality of life for all 1,400 Marines residing in our barracks,” said Maj. Dale Higgins, a UH-1Y pilot with MAG-39, 3rd MAW, and the 24 Area BEQ officer in charge. “He is a go-getter who consistently demonstrates the grit and tenacity that make the Marine Corps the premier military service."
Lester, a Jackson, Mississippi native, took on the job of 24 Area BEQ Manager several months ago, and has made it his priority to embody the proverbial phrase, ‘bloom where you’re planted.’
“When I first became a barracks manager, I didn’t know what I was doing and I had all these tasks being assigned to me,” said Lester. “It was stressful, but I knew I had to succeed even though it wasn’t my primary MOS.”
Lester hit the ground running with OCS III, part of the Marine Corps’ Barracks 360 Reset initiative. The joint initiative, led by I Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations – West, aimed at revitalizing barracks infrastructure and improving operational readiness for Marines and Sailors.
During OCS III, Lester oversaw the completion of more than 55 self-help orders and the consolidation of self-help items, gave classes on self-help procedures, and developed a tracking log to monitor self-help item usage. He also coordinated support with the 11 Marine units residing in the 24 Area BEQ, managing the removal of 98 abandoned vehicles, facilitated critical government vehicle support, and enabled the transport and disposal of trash and green waste.
Additionally, Lester led the preparation of 72 barracks rooms for redeploying units and returned previously uninhabitable rooms to acceptable standards. He provided oversight to multiple exterior renovation projects, improving the cleanliness and functionality of the 24 Area.
His accomplishments during OCS III did not go unnoticed by the residents of the 24 Area barracks and his command leadership, who nominated Lester for a Certificate of Commendation.
“Corporal Lester’s actions exemplify exceptional initiative, strong leadership, and unwavering mission-focused dedication – qualities that any command would consider invaluable in a Marine, said Gunnery Sgt. Jacob Sczech, a tiltrotor mechanic with MAG-39, 3rd MAW, and the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the 24 Area BEQ.
For Lester, the biggest reward is knowing he made a difference for his fellow Marines.
“It feels good knowing that my team and I were able to make the area 10 times better, and that the people living in the barracks directly benefit from our efforts,” said Lester.
Lester encourages his fellow Marines to be self-motivated and to give their all to any task they take on.
“If you’re self-driven enough, recognition will come on its own,” said Lester.
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.13.2025 14:45 |
| Story ID: | 550746 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 194 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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