Third Generation Marine Sets Example
(May 1, 2011) |
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Sgt. Keeven Sexton, an
amphibious assault vehicle repair technician with
2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics
Group, poses for a photo aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C.,
April 28, 2011. |
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (MCN - 4/28/2011) — The Marine
Corps has seen its fair share of noncommissioned
officers come and go, and in that time, those NCO's
have left the mold of what everyone has come to
expect from their leaders.
Sgt. Keeven
Sexton, an amphibious assault vehicle repair
technician with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd
Marine Logistics Group, is pushing to keep that
standard solid in the ‘Corps, but he isn't the first
in his family to do so.
This third generation
Marine is following in the footsteps of his
grandfather and uncle who also held the title,
United States Marine.
“I joined because of
the past and present,” said Sexton. “The Marine
Corps is the world's elite fight force and always
will be.”
Though he isn't the perfect Marine,
it doesn't take long to figure out why he's an NCO.
This sergeant leads by example. |
“If you ask one of your Marines to do something, it
should be something you do or have done,” said
Sexton. “That's what I believe, and I stick to it no
matter the situation.”
Sticking to your
beliefs is something he says is also important when
you're in the presence of other Marines. Second
guessing yourself can lead people to think you're
incompetent, he added.
“If people think you
aren't sure of yourself, they'll think you aren't
confident and that you don't know what you are
doing, then it's all downhill,” said Sexton.
Being a reliable NCO in your leaderships' eyes, as
well as you junior Marines' eyes is critical and is
something he takes to heart.
“If people don't
think you're (capable of leading Marines) than
you'll never be needed, and that is a horrible
feeling; an NCO who isn't needed,” said Sexton. “At
that point you aren't useful and you are failing the
people around you.”
Failure is something
Sexton isn't accustomed to, said Cpl. Parker Fields,
a fellow amphibious assault vehicle repair
technician with the battalion, who works with Sexton
on a regular basis. He can't remember how many
different things the motivated sergeant does in a
day.
“Being the NCO-in-charge for the section
is a difficult task, but he handles it well,” said
Fields. “He does so many things at one time, it's
crazy. It's hard to catch him in the same place
twice. (Sexton) is constantly moving around and
getting things done around (the shop).”
A
Marine who bares witness to that is Gunnery Sgt.
Richard T. Bishop, the maintenance chief for
ordnance platoon, General Support Maintenance
Company, 2nd Maint. Bn., who confidently assigns
these responsibilities to Sexton and expects them to
be done proficiently.
“His daily (duties)
include amphibious assault water training NCO and
platoon sergeant, with which he is doing an
outstanding job,” said Bishop. “The Marines in the
shop always go to him first, they trust him and he's
performed way above his level in taking care of the
Marines and the jobs.”
Though he doesn't know
whether he'll continue to reenlist, Sexton does
assure his Marines he'll keep up the motivated and
dedicated attitude they have come to know in the
meantime. |
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Article and photo by USMC Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado
2nd Marine Logistics Group
Copyright 2011 | |
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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