Marine Headline News
Senior
Marine and sailor share similar background
CAMP
KINSER, OKINAWA, Japan — The highest-ranking enlisted sailor
and Marine in 3rd Force Service Support Group have spent the
past two years leading the men and women under them and
recounting their time as members of elite reconnaissance
units.
The
service members of 3rd FSSG will soon lose the wealth of
ability and experience provided by the pairing of these two
talented men, because one is finishing his career.
“There
is a unique bond between Marines and sailors serving together
and even more so within the fleet Marine force reconnaissance
community,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Christopher R.
Angstead, command master chief for 3rd FSSG.“A strong
brotherhood exists between a corpsman and the Marines under
his care in reconnaissance because of the dangerous nature of
the job.”
Sergeant
Maj. Paul L. Forney, 3rd FSSG sergeant major, and Angstead
rose through the ranks while serving in reconnaissance units
throughout their careers, but had never served together prior
to 2002. Forney was assigned to reconnaissance units during
the ‘70s and ‘80s in Okinawa and Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Angstead was assigned as a corpsman to reconnaissance units
during the ‘80s at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
“We
first met in 2002 when I checked in here, but I had heard his
name through the grapevine during my time within the fleet
Marine Force reconnaissance community,” said Angstead.
Reflecting
on his years serving with reconnaissance units, Forney
mentioned that there is a common misconception among Marines
about the purpose of reconnaissance Marines.
“Some
people think reconnaissance Marines are out operating as
totally independent small forces. In fact, fleet Marine force
reconnaissance units serve the same purpose as 3rd FSSG
Marines,” Forney said. “Their mission is, and has always
been, to support the infantry through (secret) operations
outside the (reach of artillery support) in a conflict.”
Although
both men share a unique background, Forney enlisted into a
bygone era of the Marine Corps, and Forney was a member of
fleet Marine force reconnaissance units that did not always
have the luxury of high technology like those of Angstead’s
time.
“I
am a product of the new school of reconnaissance,” Angstead
said. “When I was playing with G.I. Joes, the sergeant major
was going to dive school.”
Working
together on a day-to-day basis has drawn each man to recall
his time through the years of service.
“When
the sergeant major and I met, we exchanged our sea stories
from the past,” Angstead said. “It was fascinating to hear
him talk about the transition in training through the years as
gear and tactics evolved.”
Although
both have a wealth of time in service and experience, their
positions as sergeant major and command master chief under a
flag officer are firsts.
“People
call us the ‘bookends’ or ‘dual fools’ because we are
often seen standing on either side of the general,” Angstead
said. “We stand ready so the general can turn to us on the
spot for advice from his senior enlisted leaders.”
Their
partnership at the top is soon coming to an end. Forney is set
to retire June 18 after nearly 30 years of service, while
Angstead is on the doorstep of having served 20 years in the
Navy.
“Marines
stay in until they know deep in their hearts that it is time
to get out,” Forney said. “My time came at 30 years, but
the Marine Corps is based upon knowing that the majority of
people get out after four years.”
Both
men agreed that the first decision to reenlist is the
toughest, and those Marines and sailors who separate from the
service should still be respected for their loyalty to service
and country, especially in these uncertain times.
CAMP
KINSER, OKINAWA, Japan — Third Force Service Support
Group’s senior enlisted leaders, Master Chief Petty Officer
Christopher R. Angstead (left) and Sgt. Maj. Paul L. Forney
(right), flank Sergeant Major John L. Estrada, Sergeant Major
of the Marine Corps, during a motivational run with 3rd FSSG
June 3. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan K.
Teslevich) (Released)
