Congratulations to the new Marines of Alpha Company! December 11, 2020
Transcript
[Announcer] Lance Corporal Manning is a two-year-old, full-blooded English bulldog. Born in Fallbrook, California on July 9, 2018. He is named in honor of Sergeant Johnny R. Manuelito Sr., one of the original 29 Navajo code talkers who trained in the first all-Navajo platoon here aboard the Depot in 1942. Sergeant Manuelito helped create the code that the Navajos developed at Camp Elliot, now Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. He became an instructor teaching other Navajo Marines the Navajo code. Later, Sergeant Manuelito participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima where Marine signals officers stated, “Had it not been for the code talkers, “we would have never taken Iwo Jima.” Lance Corporal Manny continues the tradition of a long line of mascots at MCRD San Diego, dating back to 1939, when Major General Smedley Butler introduced James Jolly Plum Duff as the first mascot here at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. He is being escorted by the office of communications, Sergeant Brook C. Wood.
Step. Fall in. (soldiers march)
[Announcer] Thank you, please be seated. Officially formed in 1921, Marine Band San Diego has thrilled countless millions throughout the world with its inspired renditions of traditional and contemporary music. Each member of the band has completed recruit training, maintains combat skills, and many have been on combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, give true meaning to the title marine musician. Marine Band San Diego is under the leadership off Chief Warrant Officer Two Alex Panos, band officer and Master Sergeant Robert Marroquin, band master. Today, the band is led on the march by Gunnery Sergeant James Dempsey, drum major, and it’s under the direction of Chief Warrant Officer Two Alex Panos. The commanding general Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego welcomes you to what is an historic event in the life of a Marine, their graduation from bootcamp. Approximately 40 weeks each year for the past 99 years, new Marines have departed San Diego for service with units of the Marine Corps around the globe. The primary mission of the Recruit Depot is to provide basic training to recruits enlisted west of the Mississippi, which represents approximately 51% of all job applicants in the Marine Corps each year. The Depot is also home to Recruiter School and Drill Instructor School. All our efforts here are geared towards one end, producing America’s finest fighting force, the United States Marine. This morning, Company A, First Group Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, will form and march in a parade. Following the pass and review, the graduating Marines will return, front and center of the reviewing stand, for final dismissal. The staff for today’s parade is comprised of Marines from the Recruit Training Regiment. The Commander of Troops is Captain Jason M Lazo, Company Commander, Company A, First Recruit Training Battalion. The parade adjutant is Captain Christopher D. Day, Company Officer, Company A, First Recruit Training Battalion. (band plays) The marching units are now being called to attention and the adjutant’s command, sound adjutant’s call, will begin today’s parade.
Sound adjutant’s call. (band plays march)
Forward. March.
[Announcer] Marching in today’s parade are 373 of the graduating Marines from Company A. Recruit training is comprised of subjects required to produce basic Marines, who function effectively in garrison, are trained in rudimentary individual, field, and combat skills, and practice the personal and professional traits which distinguish them as Marines. Examples of these traits are discipline, the achievement of a state of discipline which assures respect for authority, instant and willing obedience to orders, and the self-reliance to maintain or improve those traits, which exemplify a Marine. (band plays march) Military bearing, consistently demonstrating military presence and personal awareness, as well as the proper wearing and maintenance of uniforms. (band plays march) Esprit de Corps, acquiring the common spirit of the Marine Corps that inspires enthusiasm, devotion, pride, initiative, teamwork, aggressiveness, determination, moral courage, integrity, camaraderie, and the burning desire to work with and for others towards excellence in common goals, (band plays march) For 244 years Marines have fought and won whenever and wherever the nation calls. In the harshest conditions, over the most brutal terrain, and against the most formidable enemies, Marines defend the ideals of freedom with grit and tenacity. (band plays march) Though battlefields change and capabilities evolve, history proves that true victory comes from the individual Marine with steel resolve, the drive to overcome any obstacle, and the warrior spirit to fight on against all odds. It takes a steadfast faithfulness, semper fidelis, to Corps, country, and each other that abounds throughout our storied legacy. (band plays march) Marines today remain in combat, forward deployed throughout the world, confronting every challenge with courage, loyalty, and faithfulness. They are resolved to be most ready when the nation is least ready, to defend freedom any time and anywhere, to stand ready to aid those devastated by natural disasters, to pay tribute to those who have forged our proud legacy, and to honor the families and loved ones who faithfully stand beside us. For the Marines of Company A, today marks the end of a 14-week recruit training cycle. They have marched countless miles at Camp Pendleton and on this parade day, and have been trained, as are all Marines, as basic riflemen. In addition, due to an intensive physical training program, their strength and endurance have doubled since their arrival aboard the Depot. They are Marines, qualified to take their place in the ranks of the world’s finest fighting organization. (band plays march) (adjutant calls orders) The next portion of the ceremony will be the presentation of the colors. Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and remain standing for the playing of our national anthem. (“You’re a Grand Old Flag”) (adjutant calls orders) Ladies and gentlemen, our national anthem. (“Star Spangled Banner”) (adjutant calls orders) Thank you, please be seated. (adjutant calls orders) (band plays patriotic music) (audience applauds) (audience applauds) (adjutant calls orders) The parade adjutant now presents the sound command to the commander of troops. (adjutant calls orders) (commander calls orders) (band plays patriotic music) At the command, officer center march, all leading commanders, and gun operators, march to the front and center of the formation. Historically, it was at this point that commanding officers would issue orders and instructions to the duty commanders. Following this, the unit leaders would face about, return to their units, and pass the information along to their Marines. (band plays patriotic music) (commander calls orders) (commander calls orders) Ladies and gentlemen, the commander for First Recruit Training Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Farsaad. (audience applauds)
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, both those here in person and those watching online. On behalf of the Commanding General Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Western Recruiting Region, Brigadier General Heritage, and the Commanding Officer of the Recruit Training Regiment, Colonel Palma, I’d like to welcome you to the graduation ceremony for Alpha Company. I’d also like to welcome the parade reviewing officer for today’s ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Tracy Maese. Maese has served in the Marine Corps for over 18 years and is currently the Commanding Officer for Support Battalion here at MCRD. Welcome, ma’am, thanks for being here. (audience applauds) I’d also like to thank all the parents, families, and friends for everything you have done for your Marines. Although you can’t be here in person, I can assure you that your love and support was vital to their success. Now ladies and gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to address the Marines of Alpha Company. Good morning, Marines!
[Marines] Good morning, sir, hurrah!
[Alexander] Congratulations. Today marks a milestone in a journey that began 15 long weeks ago when you arrived here and committed yourselves to becoming Marines. You were taught our core values of honor, courage, and commitment in order to make Marines of exemplary character, with a clear understanding that being a Marine carries a special trust and confidence and the highest expectations of the American people. We developed your physical and mental toughness by imbuing you with a warrior spirit, able to thrive in chaotic environment, and able to persevere and push past your perceived limits when your mettle is tested. You’ve learned the skills of a war fighter, characterized by sound judgment and aggressiveness in execution. You’ve hiked countless miles, learned how to operate in the field, and completed our marksmanship program, enabling you to engage pinpoint targets at distances of up to 500 yards. We taught you how to decide, act, and communicate with a bias for action and with the boldness and determination required of every Marine. And we trained you to be leaders who embrace that exceptional and unremitting responsibility to your fellow Marines. All that training culminated in your most difficult task, the crucible, but you demonstrated your grit and worked together as a team to complete the crucible and earn a title that you will take pride in for the rest of your lives, the title United States Marine. Be thankful for your drill instructors. They have been with you 24 hours a day, seven for the last 13 weeks. It is through their hard work and dedication that you were transformed into the Marine you are today. So congratulations again, Alpha Company, you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. You have taken your place in that long line of illustrious Marines who have served as soldiers of the sea since the founding of our Corps. And so as you leave here today, remember our core values, because now you all this Marines who went before you, and you will mold the Marines who come after. May you always have fair winds and following seas and remain semper fidelis. (audience applauds)
[Announcer] Now taking her position in the reviewing area is today’s parade reviewing officer, Lieutenant Colonel Tracy A. Maese. She is accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Farsaad, First Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment. (commander calls orders) Lieutenant Colonel Maese, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in May 2002 after graduating from United States Naval Academy. Upon her completion of the basic school, she attended the the adjutants course at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and gained the military occupational specialty 0180, adjutant officer. Lieutenant Colonel Maese has served in a variety of challenging billets, in numerous commands, to include serving as adjutant and legal officer for Marine Aircraft Group 26, Second Marine Aircraft Wing, Second Marine Expeditionary Force, executive officer of Headquarters Battalion, and adjutant for Marine Corps Base Hawaii, current Operations Officer for the Wounded Warriors Regiment, staff secretary of the Deputy Commandant for Information, Assistant Chief of Staff G1 for the Deputy Commandant of Combat Development and Integration, and for the Commanding General Marine Corps Combat Development Command. Currently, Lieutenant Colonel Maese serves as a Commanding Officer of Support Battalion Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. Lieutenant Colonel Maese’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, the Joint Service Commendation medal, the Navy and Marine Corps commendation medal with three gold stars in lieu of fourth award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award. ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Lieutenant Colonel Tracy A. Maese. (audience applauds)
Good morning ma’am.
March the command to review.
Aye ma’am. (commander calls orders) (drum plays march) Forward, march. (bank plays march)
[Announcer] More than a million Marines have been trained here in the past 99 years and have departed San Diego for combat and conflicts around the world, including places whose names are immediately associated with Marine courage and dedication. Names such as Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, Hoengsong, Inchon, Chosin Reservoir, Ka-san, Hue City, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Kuwait, Somalia, Fallujah, Iraq, Mosul, Afghanistan, and our most current operations worldwide. This parade day is rigid history and traditions and no recruit here ever forgets its sights and sounds. Ladies and gentlemen, the Commander of Troops, Captain Jason M. Lazo, Company Commander and the Battalion staff. (audience applauds) Ladies and gentlemen, as the national flag passes directly in front of you, please rise, once it passes, you may be seated. (band plays march) Marine Band San Diego, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. (audience applauds) Series 1001, Series Commander, First Lieutenant Justin B. Patrick. (audience applauds) Platoon 1001, Senior Drill Instructor, Staff Sergeant Roger S. Stutsa. (audience applauds) (officer calls orders) Platoon 1002, Senior Drill Instructor, Staff Sergeant Kyle J. McDonald. (audience applauds) (officer calls orders) Honor Platoon 1003, Senior Drill Instructor, Sergeant Matthew E. Dombert, also from Platoon 1003 is the company high shooter, Private First Class Jacob D. Cobrin. (audience applauds) The regimental color guard is led by Regimental Color Sergeant, Drill Instructor Sergeant Patrick Hassett. (officer calls order) Series 1005, Series Commander Captain Manuel A. Ramirez. (audience applauds) Platoon 1005, Senior Drill Instructor Staff Sergeant Pedro N. Siso. (audience applauds) (officer calls orders) Platoon 1006, Senior Drill Instructor, Staff Sergeant Jake D. Cullen. (audience applauds) (officer calls orders) Platoon 1007, Senior Drill Instructor, Staff Sergeant Curtis M. Sprague. Also from Platoon 1007, is the most physically fit Marine, Private First Class Jonah T. Gooden. (audience applauds) The Marines’ Hymn has a history dating back to 1859. It is a longstanding tradition for Marines to face the direction of the music and stand at attention when it is heard. It is now directed that all Marines present, and who have served honorably, sing the words to the first verse as Marine Band San Diego performs The Marines’ Hymn. Will the guests please rise. (“The Marines’ Hymn”) ‚ô™ From the Halls of Montezuma ‚ô™ ‚ô™ To the shores of Tripoli ‚ô™ ‚ô™ We fight our country’s battles ‚ô™ ‚ô™ On the land as on the sea ‚ô™ ‚ô™ First to fight for right and freedom ‚ô™ ‚ô™ And to keep our honor clean ‚ô™ ‚ô™ We are proud to claim the title ‚ô™ ‚ô™ Of United States Marine ‚ô™
[Announcer] Thank you, please be seated. The Marine Corps’ uniqueness and strength as an elite fighting arm is directly attributable to the magnificent efforts of the drill instructors and company officers who train and supervise the recruits with distinct qualities of spirit and discipline, the heart and soul of every Marine have been developed and nurtured after any brave recruits breed their observance and relationship with their drill instructors and officers. Recruit training is the very foundation of the Corps. Each year, recruit training provides thousands of America’s finest young men and women with the basic knowledge and skills to function in a profession characterized by its own set of high values and tough standards. The most important thing we do in the Marine Corps is make Marines, the individual Marine is the Corps. This is what we do here. For the Marines graduating today, the long, arduous journey of the last 14 weeks is but a small step into the future of the Marine Corps. As they prepare to fill the ranks of our Corps, they do so with unquestionable support for the high ideals and standards of the United States of America and the United States Marine Corps. Although Company A prepares for their final dismissal from boot camp today, their initial training is not over. Soon after graduation, they will report to the School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, California, where they will continue to be trained to serve as an effective member of a Marine rifle squad. The intense additional training that every Marine undergoes is designed to instill the fundamental premise that every Marine is a weapon. (band plays march) (officer calls orders) (officer calls orders) Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, we would like to introduce to you the Marines responsible for ensuring the success of the difficult transition required to become a Marine. The Company Commander is Captain Jason M. Lazo. The Company First Sergeant is Gunnery Sergeant Hector Del Toro. ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a round of applause for the company staff of Company A. (audience applauds) The next portion of the ceremony will be the traditional function of retiring the guidons. (officer calls out) (band plays march) The guidons have been carried by the platoons throughout recruit training and are being retired to symbolize the disbanding of platoons. All similar units in the Marine Corps carry such guidons, which identify the unit and are a source of pride to each individual member. Note, that the honor of carrying these guidons is bestowed upon those Marines who display outstanding leadership qualities, motivation and character, and were selected as the platoon honor graduates. The platoon honor graduates compete for the titles of series and company honor graduate. They are considered the top Marines graduating today and have demonstrated the highest potential for future leadership and responsibility in the Marines Corps.
[Officer] Present guidons! Order guidon!
[Announcer] The guidons will now be returned to the drill instructors.
[Officer] Forward! (band plays march) March! (officer calls orders) (audience applauds)
[Announcer] The honor graduate for Platoon 1001 is Private First Class Calvin Ashley C. Chastain from Iowa Fall, Iowa. The honor graduate for Platoon 1002, and also the company honor graduate is Lance Corporal Nicholas J. Jensen from Petaluma, California. Lance Corporal Jensen is also the recipient of the Jesse Fuller Award for his outstanding meritorious performance while in recruit training. The honor graduate for Platoon 1003 is Private First Class Gavin K. Keel from Eagle Mountain, Utah. The honor graduate for Platoon 1005 is Private First Class Tyler B. Cox from Huntington Beach, California. The honor graduate for Platoon 1006 and also the series honor graduate is Private First Class Isaiah C. Simmons from Indianapolis, Indiana. And the honor graduate for Platoon 1007 is Private First Class Okayemi E. Basilardve from Katy, Texas. Ladies and gentlemen, the honormen of Company A. (audience applauds) (officer calls orders) (officer calls orders) The Company First Sergeant will now give the command to the senior drill instructors to dismiss their platoons. Needless to say, this will be the most welcome command they have received throughout recruit training.
Any drill instructors, dismiss your platoon! (instructors answer) (instructors issue order)
[Recruits] Aye, aye, Sergeant, hurrah!
[Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today’s ceremony. (audience applauds) (officer calls orders) (band plays patriotic music)