CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- What began as a conversation with a high school friend more than 30 years ago culminated with nearly four decades of military service, drawing to a close in a ceremony in front of 2nd Marine Logistics Group Headquarters aboard Camp Lejeune May 23.
Col. Kenneth D. Enzor, of Fair Bluff, N.C., retired and relinquished his position as 2nd MLG’s chief of staff.
After a childhood colleague suggested the two “join the Army and jump out of airplanes,” Enzor enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1974. He served as a rifleman and squad leader with 1st Ranger Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment before electing to transition back into the civilian sector.
In 1982, Enzor graduated from Georgia Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and was commissioned as a second lieutenant later the same year as he re-entered the military as a Marine Corps officer.
Enzor served in nearly every clime and place over the course of his career with duty stations and command tours ranging from California to Japan to Oslo, Norway. He took on his final role within the 2nd MLG in October 2009.
“He is what I call today’s ‘Old Breed,’” said Maj. Gen. Michael G. Dana, the commanding general of 2nd MLG, after presenting Enzor with the Legion of Merit Medal. He made note of the fact that Enzor joined the military in much different times. As an unpopular war wound down in Vietnam, public support waned for U.S. troops, unlike today where military service is viewed as patriotic.
“He was an infantryman, a [noncommissioned officer] and a Marine officer," said Dana. “The biggest thing I can tell you about Ken Enzor is he can do anything.”
As he addressed the crowd gathered before him, a gracious Enzor thanked those who had been a part of his career, including his wife Rebecca with whom he celebrated his 34th wedding anniversary in March.
After noting some of his best years of service were as a sergeant and second lieutenant, he imparted a bit of wisdom to the junior ranks before the ceremony’s conclusion.
“There is a lot of pressure to attain that next rank and to be the next rank and that’s important, but enjoy being who you are,” said Enzor. “Be the best corporal, sergeant or lieutenant you can be and the rest will just kind of happen.”