MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Staff noncommissioned officers and officers with Marine Air Control Group 28 set the example for their junior Marines by renovating and cleaning barracks 4295 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Nov. 24 and 25.
The project was conducted in an effort to give back to the Marines who are currently living in the barracks as well as teach them accountability and responsibility for their living quarters.
“We are cleaning in preparation for the holidays,” said Gunnery Sgt. Austin Keelty, a logistics chief with Marine Air Control Squadron 2. “By assisting and cleaning the barracks, we are giving the junior Marines a chance to enjoy the place they live in.”
The Marines worked on a variety of projects in the barracks including painting, pressure washing, landscaping and fixing furniture in the common areas.
“There are more than 25 Marines supporting this effort,” said Keelty. “This is important because staff NCOs and officers with MASS-1 and MACS-2 are coming to the barracks to lead by example and show the Marines how to effectively and efficiently clean the barracks.”
In addition to restoring the barracks, the staff NCOs and officers partnered with the Facilities Maintenance Department to document and fix discrepancies in the barracks to improve the junior Marines’ living conditions.
“It’s important that we provide the Marines with the best we can offer, which allows us as a squadron to be mission ready for any task that we are assigned to,” said Keelty.
The volunteers said they hope that participating in the project will give the junior Marines a better home in which they can have a sense of pride that they want to maintain.
As the staff NCO’s and officers of MACG-28 continue to lead by example, they are paving the way for junior Marines to learn from their example, according to Keelty.
“As Marines, we set ourselves apart not only by being the strongest and the toughest, but by going above and beyond what is expected,” said Keelty.