Marine 'Maverick' closes three-decade chapter in the Corps

Look up the definition of a military “Maverick” and one may find a photograph of a Marine Corps Logistics Command major, who has traveled through the ranks from enlisted to commissioned officer during his career in the Corps.

A “maverick” is slang term in the United States Armed Forces, referring to a commissioned officer who began his or her career as an enlisted service member.

In a ceremony held in his honor at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany's Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Aug. 12, Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, commanding general, LOGCOM, gave a brief recap of the active-duty journey of Maj. Lee Taylor, operations actions officer/mission assurance officer, LOGCOM, a decorated Marine who made his exit after three decades of service to his country.

“On behalf of the Taylor family, thank you for coming out this afternoon to celebrate the 30-year career of one of our warriors,” Crenshaw said. “He doesn’t do it by himself; if you look here to the right, this is his family--the support network, who has supported him throughout his time as a Marine.”

Crenshaw highlighted Taylor’s Marine Corps career, from his beginning “on the yellow prints at Parris Island,” South Carolina, Nov. 4, 1986, to his entire 16 years in the enlisted ranks, through his transition to Officer Candidate School, Quantico, Virginia, until his commission as 2nd lieutenant, March 29, 2002.

In 1991, Taylor’s tours of duty brought him full circle to where it all began for him, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, for Drill Instructor School.  He was assigned drill instructor duty with India Company, 3^rd Battalion; after completing/graduating six platoons, Taylor was then assigned as the supply chief at S-4, Support Battalion at Parris Island.

For a third time in his career, more than a decade later, Taylor returned on orders to Parris Island, as the logistics officer, H&S Company commander and as the executive officer for Weapons and Field Training Battalion.

Taylor eventually transferred as the branch head for the Marine Air Ground Task Force, Logistics Support System, Marine Corps Systems Command, aboard MCLB Albany, in July 2013 and one year later, in July 2014, he reported as LOGCOM’s mission assurance officer.

Wrapping up the retirement celebration, Taylor gave closing remarks to attendees, who came to bid him farewell.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been preaching to everybody I’ve come in contact with, especially young Marines, about what they should do in their careers,” the major pointed out. “Not that they should necessarily follow in my footsteps, but that they should think of all their options and reach their full potential.

“It’s been fun,” he added. “I’ve had a great run. I will always be a Marine, but I’m leaving the Corps. I hope that I’m leaving it in a better state than it was when I came in. I’m still an ‘old dawg’ and I still have some of that drill instructor in me. So, if I see a Marine, walking around doing something he’s not supposed to do, I’m going to correct him.

“I appreciate everyone coming,” Taylor continued. “It has been my absolute pleasure to have served and to have met each and every one of you. I am pretty sure you have had an impact on my life and I hope that I have had an impact on yours. The Corps will always be here with me. Semper Fi.”

Taylor was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal; a Certificate of Retirement; Certificate of Appreciation from President Barak Obama and a an American flag, which was flown over the Marine Corps War Memorial, Washington, D.C. and over Marine Corps Logistics Command, in honor of his dedication and service.

Following the ceremony, visiting guests and attendees were invited to a reception at the retiree’s home.