Posted on 08/19/2005 5:35:34 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug. 19, 2005 — On his second deployment to the Middle East, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ralph White plans to carry on with a goal set by his predecessor.
White, who was deployed here for the first Gulf War in 1991 as a tank crewman, took over the command sergeant major position with the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq about a month ago. He's replacing U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ronnie Edwards, who has returned to Marine Corps Headquarters at Quantico, Va.
“We need to continue to convince the Iraqis that good NCO leaders are integral in a military organization,” said White, a reservist from Amarillo, Texas who has spent the last two years on active duty at Quantico.
“That was one thing Sgt. Maj. Edwards was focused on, and I'd like to continue with that,” he said.
As mentors and trainers, White believes NCOs must pay close attention to the example they set and make sure they are upholding standards - even on things that may seem minor, like uniform policies and military courtesies.
“We can't be the professional organization we profess to be and not adhere to our own standards,” White said. “No matter how petty the issue, it's about attention to detail. If you start breaking the rules on the small stuff, you start that slide into the bigger stuff.”
White will be traveling the entire country of Iraq to visit troops, observe training and operations, and offer support as needed.
At MNSTC-I's Phoenix Base headquarters, he'll also pay attention to morale and welfare issues. White's 27-year military career started in the U.S. Army, with four years in military intelligence. He got out but soon followed friends into the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, where he's served for the past 23 years.
In addition to his 1991 tour in Iraq, White was deployed in 2002 to South America. He decided to volunteer for a tour here in Iraq after watching plenty of others head here during his time at Quantico.
“I just thought it was my time to come,” White said. “Everyone has to pay their dues.”
White, who is married with three daughters ages 15, 25 and 30, is an emergency manager at an Amarillo nuclear weapons complex in his civilian life.
PING
Awesome SNCO bump.
HOORAH!
Give 'em h3ll, and may business be very, very GOOD!
"If you start breaking the rules on the small stuff, you start that slide into the bigger stuff.”
This is a good philosophy for life, as well as the military.
BTTT!!!!!!!
Marine Hero ~ Bump!
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