CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- It is customary for units throughout the Marine Corps to honor the service of a senior enlisted Marine leaving a unit and to formally welcome the new senior enlisted advisor.
Sgt. Maj. William T. Stables relinquished his post as the 2nd Marine Logistics Group sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. George W. Young during an appointment and relief ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 3.
The occasion provided the opportunity for Maj. Gen. Michael G. Dana, the commanding general for 2nd MLG, to recognize Stables for his three years of service as the senior enlisted Marine of the Group.
“You are one of the best Marines I have seen in my 30 years of service,” Dana explained. “You are the whole package. You are the whole Marine, and you are the whole human being.”
Dana also highlighted Stables’ particular leadership style, which he called 360-degree leadership.
“You mentor and teach up, laterally, down and all around,” Dana expressed. “There is not one [service member] in the 2nd MLG who has not benefited from your great advice … you are the epitome of a 360-degree leader.”
Soon after the commanding general finished his speech, Stables said a few words to the Marines and sailors present at the ceremony.
“Thank you for the honor of being your sergeant major,” Stables expressed. “The 2nd MLG has been a learning experience for me … I loved every second of it.”
Stables assumed his post as the 2nd MLG sergeant major in 2009 and deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan with the unit, but after three years he said it is time to move on.
“I hate leaving the Marines of the MLG, but it is time to let another sergeant major take over this post,” Stables concluded. “It has been a great experience with the [troops] in this unit.”
Stables will become the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific command sergeant major at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii.
Young, who transferred from the 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division concluded the ceremony by expressing how much he looks forward to working with the service members of the 2nd MLG.
“Marines and sailors, expect to see me in the warehouses, in the motor pools and on the [physical training] field,” Young concluded. “I want to get to meet you and see all the different aspects of the MLG.”