Celebrating 100 Years of Marine Aviation Vol. 69, No. 23 www.cherrypoint.marines.mil June 9, 2011 Sgt Maj Kent recalls Corps career during visit to Cherry Point CPL. TYLER J. BOLKEN as a drill instructor. “I was not going to miss this op- MCAS CHERRY POINT portunity to come out for the last time to say, thank It’s tough to see the good ones go, but Sgt. Maj. you.” Carlton W. Kent graciously gave up his post as ser- In a very conversational manner, Kent went on to geant major of the Marine Corps to Sgt. Maj. Micheal share several stories from his time in the Corps, con- P. Barrett during today’s post and relief ceremony at tinually reiterating his confi dence in today’s Marines. Marine Barracks Washington in Washington, D.C. “My whole adult life I’ve been a Marine, and all I Prior to putting the fi nal touches on his 35-plus year know are you fellow warriors,” he stated. “I can tell career, Kent spent the past few months visiting Ma- you I’m leaving the Marine Corps with a sense of rines across the Corps – from deployed Marines in pride, knowing the Marine Corps legacy will continue Afghanistan to the more than 1,700 stateside Marines because of great warriors like you.” he visited at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Kent’s legacy in the Corps began in 1976 when he June 7. left his home in Memphis, Tenn., for the famous yel- “He came here to see these Marines one last time,” low footprints of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris said Sgt. Maj. Jerry L. Bailey, Marine Corps Air Sta- Island, S.C. tion Cherry Point sergeant major. “He genuinely cares “I never thought I would be the sergeant major of about his Marines.” the Marine Corps,” Kent said. “All I can say is don’t The Marines arrived at the station theater early, and worry about your next rank because as long as you CPL. TYLER J. BOLKEN Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Kent caught most of them off guard when he walked take care of Marines, Marines are going to take care Corps, speaks to Marines and Sailors at the Cherry Point in from behind them while they were already seated. of you.” theater June 7. Kent visited the air station as part of his final “What’s going on devil dogs?” Kent said in his farewell tour. raspy, rugged voice that still bears strain from his days See KENT page A9 Marines pursue life goals by continuing college education LANCE CPL. SCOTT L. TOMASZYCKI MCAS CHERRY POINT A Marine’s life is already hard enough with juggling family, work, duties as a Marine and deployments. De- spite the challenge, some Marines add another factor to their lives and continue their education by enrolling in college. For those who choose to balance these aspects of their lives successfully, can later open new doors to future success. After many hours of hard work and dedication, more than 90 members of the Cherry Point community gradu- ated from various colleges during a ceremony at the air station theater June 2. “I’m a single mom with two kids, so it’s a balance,” said Stephanie Alexis, a corporal in the Marine Corps Re- serves. “Going to school is almost as much work as hav- ing a newborn to take care of. You’re tired all the time and PFC. CORY D. POLOM trying to make sure all your work gets done.” Seaman Michael S. Harris prepares to jump into the ocean off the coast of Fort Macon during the swimmer Though getting an education takes a lot of hard work, deployment portion of Marine Transport Squadron 1 search and rescue certification testing June 3. Harris the Marine Corps has tools in place to help along the way. is training to become a rescue swimmer with VMR-1. Tuition assistance up to a certain amount can pay for classes, the GI bill can pay for veteran’s classes, and in- ternet for deployed service members can help get a jump VMR-1 certifi es for search, rescue start on classes. PFC. CORY D. POLOM “This type of training keeps us on point,” said Gun- “As active duty, I had tuition assistance,” said Alexis. MCAS CHERRY POINT nery Sgt. Ryan C. Smith, a rescue swimmer with Pedro. “As a veteran, I have the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which pays The ocean’s choppy waves cause the water to rush “The situations these young SAR trainees go through for my school for me without a cap, so I go to school all inside the boat slowly, causing it to sink. In the middle are the same kind of situations we have to respond to year round. They also pay for me to go to school, which of the ocean, as a growing fear sets in, a loud rumble weekly, if not day to day.” is an awesome benefi t for anyone who doesn’t have a job is heard overhead in the dark night. Looking up in Smith had a fellow gunnery sergeant under his wing or is going to school full time and doesn’t have time for the sky, a bright light breaks the darkness, and down during the training exercises who shares a deep passion a full time job. They also pay for books with a $1,000 comes a man on a rope yelling he’s here to help. He for the mission of Pedro. stipend per year.” then puts a strap around your waist and begins to hoist “Every time I get a chance to conduct training that Besides gaining knowledge for one’s own sake, college you from the cold water and toward the helicopter with gets me closer to certifi cation is exciting and motivat- classes can help Marines achieve life goals and further the spotlight. ing,” said Gunnery Sgt. John P. Vinlove, a fl ight line career options if the unexpected were to happen. It is up A scenario like this is typical during boating season division chief and is training as a rescue swimmer with to that individual to seek their education. and can happen to anyone this summer. In preparation Pedro. “Not only that, but getting to fl y with such a “I’m going to get a master’s in mental health coun- for such real-life scenarios, Marines and Sailors of great group of Marines and Sailors in a mission to not seling,” said Sergio L. Jimenez, a former sergeant that Marine Transport Squadron 1 train to rescue stranded only help the air station but protect the lives of eastern was medically separated when he lost hearing in one ear. boaters. North Carolina in a different way than Marines usually “When I heard that the military would be paying for it, I New Marines and Sailors with VMR-1’s search and do.” decided to take full advantage of that. I completely lost rescue group conducted their fi rst two tests in their Vinlove said the training they conducted in the Cro- my hearing in one of my ears, but because I already had search and rescue certifi cation testing June 3. atan helped prepare him for a situation in which Pedro some education, I had something to fall back on. After I The fi rst test was a search and rescue exercise, also complete the education, I want to work with children who known as a SAR-X, in the Croatan National Forest. See PEDRO page A9 have mental disabilities.” MACG-28 bids farewell to outgoing, VMFA-122 Marines, Sailors welcomes incoming sergeant major return home to MCAS Beaufort LANCE CPL. SCOTT L. TOMASZYCKI his post at MACG-28 to Sgt. Maj. Lisa LANCE CPL. JUSTIN M. BOLING MCAS CHERRY POINT K. Nilsson on the Marine Air Control MCAS BEAUFORT The rank of sergeant major is one of great Squadron 2 parade fi eld June 3. MARINE CORPS AIR STA- responsibility. One is often responsible After 41 months with MACG-28, Sator TION BEAUFORT, S.C. for the well being of thousands of enlisted came to know the Marines at MACG-28 – The Werewolves main pack personnel. Its seriousness cannot be and described them as heroes. returned to their waiting peers, overstated. The weight of their duty is “I truly believe that there are Americans friends and loved ones at Ma- why hundreds of Marines from Marine and there are great Americans,” said rine Corps Air Station Beau- Air Control Group 28 gathered to watch Sator. “The Marines and Sailors are great fort, S.C., May 29. one relinquish his post and the other take Americans. As volunteers, they don’t have Marine Fighter Attack her place as their senior enlisted leader. to do what they do; they do it to defend Squadron 122 had nearly a Sgt. Maj. Michael T. Sator relinquished this country.” seven-month deployment to During Sator’s tenure, he also Afghanistan. While deployed, won the admiration of many of the Marines worked hard to es- his Marines. tablish the squadron as one of “He was a very good ser- the most reliable for close-air geant major and very motiva- support in-country. CPL. JUSTIN M. BOLING tional,” said Cpl. Alexander T. “The hard work of my non- Lance Cpl. Christopher F. Ruiz, an ordnance O’Sullivan, a tactical air op- commissioned offi cers put into technician with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, and his family reunite on flight line May erations module technician for training and overseeing the ju- 29 after returning from a nearly seven-month MACS-2.