Photo By Capt. James Mercure | Sergeant Perry M. Boykin, a 26-year-old Shelton, Wash., native, is on his fourth...... read more read more
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AFGHANISTAN - After three deployments as an infantry machine gunner, Sgt. Perry M. Boykin wanted nothing more than to get back to the fight. So when an opportunity to head to Afghanistan as an individual augment came his way, he jumped at the chance.
Now operating as the security manger noncommissioned officer, Boykin is responsible for screening appropriate security clearances and controlling the flow of sensitive information within the Regional Command Southwest compound.
“I’ll take the request for our computer network use and judge whether or not it should be approved,” said Boykin, a 26-year-old Shelton, Wash., native. “Our office maintains the security of this compound. Whether it’s physical security or network security it, we take care of it.”
Transitioning from his role as a combat-hardened infantry squad leader to working as a security manager has been a challenge for Boykin, but he takes the same “grunt” work ethic to his new role.
“You have to be meticulous with the job,” said Boykin. “You have to be stern and confident as well because if you allow people to walk all over you, the security of this compound is compromised and I won’t let that happen.”
During previous deployments with the 13th and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit as well as 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Boykin learned how to lead in any situation.
“On the MEU, my guys and I taught the Jordanian Army how to shoot, move and communicate and we also taught the Indonesian Marines the same principles of war fighting,” Boykin said. “Anytime we went through pirated waters on ship, our section would man the machine gun posts and wait to see if any would-be pirates would be dumb enough to try something,” he said with a laugh.
“In Iraq, we patrolled hundreds of times doing everything from killing bad guys to protecting a school while it was being built for Iraqi children,” Boykin added.
Following the long-standing tradition of military service in his family, Boykin always knew he wanted to be part of the military. But he joined the Marine Corps to have a more challenging life.
“I joined the military to follow my family tradition. I joined the Marine Corps for the challenge and I joined the infantry because I wanted to fight. I became a machine gunner because it seemed the like the hardest part of the infantry but definitely the most fun,” Boykin said.
A husband and father of two, Boykin still finds time while deployed to make time for his family.
“I talk with my daughters as often as I can and the best advice I can give them is to listen to their mom and to help out as much as they can while daddy is away,” Boykin said. “I miss them, but what we do out here is important and they will hopefully understand when they’re older.”
Boykin, who has almost eight years in the Corps, has his sights set on staying in for at least 20 years and hopes to earn the rank of infantry weapons officer, also known as the gunner, within his job field.
“I love the Marine Corps, I love what it stands for and I couldn’t imagine not leading Marines,” Boykin said. “I want to head to the (School of Infantry) next year as an instructor, so I can set the new Marines up to succeed. If I can teach them the same professional way I was taught, then I’ll know I’ve made a difference.”
| Date Taken: | 07.26.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.26.2012 06:03 |
| Story ID: | 92177 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 343 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Machine gunner to security manager – Washington native keeps security at forefront on Camp Leatherneck, by CPT James Mercure, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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