Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany

To update his Marines here on the state of the Corps, the 33rd Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps conducted a town hall meeting at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s Base Theater, May 5.

Gen. John M. Paxton Jr. met with about 200 of the base and tenant commands’ Marines following his participation in a ceremony at the Covella Pond Amphitheater. During the ceremony, MCLB Albany was recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for superior excellence in health and worker safety and awarded the Voluntary Protection Program Star Status, designating the base as a Star site within the Department of Defense.

Paxton, who assumed his current post, Dec. 15, 2012, spoke about the state of the Marine Corps to include its combat missions, current operations, deployments, logistics support, equipment and training during the town hall meeting.

The general portrayed the Marine Corps as a “people-intensive organization,” and stressed it’s important to recruit, train and retain the best Marines like those who were sitting in the audience before him.

He also praised the support logistics Marines here are providing Corps-wide especially since 100 percent of the equipment has been sent back to the U.S. from the war in Afghanistan.

“(There is) critical work that happens in Albany,” the general said, thanking the Marines here for what they do every day.

Paxton emphasized the Corps wants to be “relevant for tomorrow” and classified Marines as its No. 1 weapon.

“We’re a learning organization — focus on that and keep learning,” Paxton said. “I know who you are and what you do; thank you for all you’re doing and keep it up. The Corps’ future is bright if we do."

Lt. Gen. William M. Faulkner, Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics, Headquarters Marine Corps, who attended both the VPP ceremony and town hall meeting, reiterated to the Marines here the importance of the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps’ town hall meeting.