The Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps (ACMC), Gen. Glenn Walters, visited Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), Nov. 3, 2017.
Walters met personnel with several of MCBH’s tenant commands, including 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Combat Logistics Battalion 3 (CLB-3), and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268.
The visit served as an opportunity for Hawaii Marines to meet with the ACMC, and speak about day to day operations on MCBH.
“I enjoy visiting all of our Marines,” Walters said. “They’re doing a great job out here in the Pacific, and I just wanted to say thanks.”
Walters also assessed manning and facilities, receiving input on current operational capabilities and how they can be improved.
“Some of the facilities looked good, but there’s always more to be done,” Walters said. “Nothing can change overnight, but we’re working very hard to ensure that the facilities are capable.”
CLB-3 was one of the many units visited by the ACMC.
“The biggest highlight from the ACMC’s visit to CLB-3 was his interactions with the junior Marines and Sailors within their work sections at a small unit level,” said Maj. Christina Henry, the executive officer of the battalion. “All too often, junior Marines don’t realize that officers of such high caliber were just like them at some point in their careers.
Five of their personnel, nominated by their peers, were awarded with challenge coins. The ACMC also made it a point to speak with the battalion’s junior-enlisted personnel.
“The ACMC had more personal conversations with the Marines, and the Marines and Sailors were also interested in his hobbies and his day-to-day challenges,” Henry said. “The discussions were genuine and personable, which is always good for morale.”
Additionally, the ACMC’s wife, Gail Walters, visited Mokapu Elementary School, and met with the spouses of Marines stationed on MCBH to discuss ways family readiness could be improved.
“We had a great, really informative meeting today,” said Sandra Jones, one of the spouses who sat in on the forum. “We were able to voice a lot of opinions and concerns that we have, and talk about some things we’d like to see improved.”
Jones said she and the other spouses appreciated the audience with Mrs. Walters.
“I think it’s extremely important to know people care, and that solutions are being worked on,” Jones said. “Sometimes we can feel like we’re not heard, so to have a listening ear is definitely appreciated.”