One of the paramount reasons why the Marine Corps is so extremely successful is because of our commitment to teamwork. In fact, as Marines, there are only 3 times when we seek individual achievement; physical fitness test, rifle / pistol qualification, and promotion.

I am glad to say however that my promotion to Gunnery Sergeant was due in fact to team work.

Operations officer for the Logistics Readiness Coordination Center, LtCol Peter Finan, took a personal interest in seeing that I would be promoted in 2008. From reviewing every aspect of my Marine Corps career to editing my promotion package to even final review of my uniform for the required promotion picture LtCol Finan ensured the promotion board would let me pin on my Gunny stripes.

A little over 2 months later I found out I was selected to Gunny and Brigadier General (BGEN) David Reist came to congratulate me. During the course of our talking he discovered I was going to Iraq and without hesitation let it know that he wanted to frock me as soon as possible.

Normally, the Marine Corps only promotes a few Marines a month based upon the total number to be promoted. That is, if the Marine Corps was to have 120 new Gunnery Sergeants they in theory would promote 10 a month. BGEN Reist thought it best to promote me sooner instead of later because of my duties in Iraq hence his request to my superiors to frock me. BGEN Reist certainly is certainly a busy man with many responsibilities so for him to take an interest in my promotion was certainly a great honor.

These pictures were from my frocking ceremony on 13 March in BGEN Reists’ office.

Pictured above: Me, BGen Reist

Pictured above: Captain Brice Brown, Master Sergeant Vernon Allen, Me, LtCol Peter Finan.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

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