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| For extraordinary heroism while serving as First Sergeant, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 13 November 2004. First Sergeant Kasal was assisting 1st Section, Combined Anti-Armor Platoon as they provided a traveling over watch for 3d Platoon when he heard a large volume of fire erupt to his immediate front, shortly followed by Marines rapidly exiting a structure. When First Sergeant Kasal learned that Marines were pinned down inside the house by an unknown number of enemy personnel, he joined a squad making entry to clear the structure and rescue the Marines inside. He made entry into the first room, immediately encountering and eliminating an enemy insurgent, as he spotted a wounded Marine in the next room. While moving towards the wounded Marine, First Sergeant Kasal and another Marine came under heavy rifle fire from an elevated enemy firing position and were both severely wounded in the legs, immobilizing them. When insurgents threw grenades in an attempt to eliminate the wounded Marines, he rolled on top of his fellow Marine and absorbed the shrapnel with his own body. When First Sergeant Kasal was offered medical attention and extraction, he refused until the other Marines were given medical attention. Although severely wounded himself, he shouted encouragement to his fellow Marines as they continued to clear the structure. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, First Sergeant Kasal reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. |
The commandant has begun his search for the next sergeant major of the Marine Corps, releasing specific criteria for prospective candidates.
In an all-Marine message released Wednesday, Gen. Joe Dunford said his next senior enlisted adviser must have a minimum of 25 years of service and broad experience, including experience in combat operations. A spokesman for Dunford, Lt. Col. Eric Dent, said this means prospective candidates must have deployed in support of combat.
Qualified candidates must also have been serving as the senior enlisted adviser in a general officer-slated billet for a minimum of 24 months, and must possess strong written and oral communications skills, according to the message. They must have no pending disciplinary action, and they must also indicated their willingness to be considered and to live in the designated quarters at Marine Barracks Washington if selected.
Candidates who meet the qualifications will be considered by a board of general officers over a five-day selection process from Dec. 8-12, according to the message. The names of the five most qualified sergeants major will be presented to Dunford, who will make the final selection.
Dunford's criteria represent a departure from his predecessor, Gen. Jim Amos, who only asked that candidates be currently serving under a general officer, meet height and weight standards, and possess or be able to obtain certain security clearances in order to be considered.
The criteria also appear to take out of consideration one of the most-discussed names for for the post: Sgt. Maj. Bradley Kasal, now serving under Maj. Gen. Paul Brier at 4th Marine Division. Kasal is best known for earning the Navy Crossduring the Battle of Fallujah in 2004 despite severe wounds and blood loss. But Kasal did not leave his previous post at School of Infantry-West until Feb. 2013, leaving him shy of 24 months of service in a general officer-slated billet.
It's not stated in the message when Dunford may make his final decision. The current sergeant major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Mike Barrett, has served in his post since June 2011.
Wow.
I had actually penned him in as a "no brainer" for next SMMC.
On second thought the more I think about it and after re-reading this article, I think we're seeing a made up controversy. If Kasal wants to be considered I'm sure someone in the General's club will take his interest in the position up to the Commandant's office.
I think I got punked by Marine Times. They were reading tea leaves, being extremely literal in reading the announcement and I fell for it.
Should be interesting to see who is picked. I'm waiting to start seeing what this CMC is going to do and what direction he's going to take us. This has the potential to be like Post WW2/Korea generation of great CMC's and great SMMC, who saw that the world still needed a effective marine corps, and that while the political may change, that at the end of the day it still takes marines and their boots on the ground to actually achieve anything.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping the CMC would take his photo in his Cammies, oh well
If the award of the Navy Cross while serving as a 1st Sgt. in a grunt company, and coming out upright, covered in your own blood, with your pistol still in your paw, isn't sufficient to preclude any other nominee, it's time to abolish the post entirely.
ReplyDeleteAnd John, Al Grays come along once in a generation. If we're lucky.
We do get more than our share, but when clinkers like Amos can slime in the door, there's something rotten in Denmark.
you forgot to mention he had his k-bar in his other hand.
DeleteWe have alot of great nomminees for SMMC, but again most marines, in the combat arms, want Sgt Maj Kasal. Want someone all those belligerent, Terminal Lances have to shut the fuck up too? than the guy who sat in a murder house killing insurgents, and covering wounded marines with his own body is the guy. He's our modern day Dan Daily.
It's obvious CMC/HQMC is looking for a black or Latino woman who is a Muslim and a lesbian or transgender.
ReplyDeleteMedals? They don't want anyone who has medals, just a thorough PC award.