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Patriotic Article
Military

By USMC Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado

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Sgt. Keeven Sexton, an amphibious assault vehicle repair technician with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, poses for a photo aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 28, 2011.
Sgt. Keeven Sexton, an amphibious assault vehicle repair technician with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, poses for a photo aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 28, 2011.
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (MCN - 4/28/2011) — The Marine Corps has seen its fair share of noncommissioned officers come and go, and in that time, those NCO's have left the mold of what everyone has come to expect from their leaders.

Sgt. Keeven Sexton, an amphibious assault vehicle repair technician with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, is pushing to keep that standard solid in the ‘Corps, but he isn't the first in his family to do so.

This third generation Marine is following in the footsteps of his grandfather and uncle who also held the title, United States Marine.

“I joined because of the past and present,” said Sexton. “The Marine Corps is the world's elite fight force and always will be.”

Though he isn't the perfect Marine, it doesn't take long to figure out why he's an NCO. This sergeant leads by example.
“If you ask one of your Marines to do something, it should be something you do or have done,” said Sexton. “That's what I believe, and I stick to it no matter the situation.”

Sticking to your beliefs is something he says is also important when you're in the presence of other Marines. Second guessing yourself can lead people to think you're incompetent, he added.

“If people think you aren't sure of yourself, they'll think you aren't confident and that you don't know what you are doing, then it's all downhill,” said Sexton.

Being a reliable NCO in your leaderships' eyes, as well as you junior Marines' eyes is critical and is something he takes to heart.

“If people don't think you're (capable of leading Marines) than you'll never be needed, and that is a horrible feeling; an NCO who isn't needed,” said Sexton. “At that point you aren't useful and you are failing the people around you.”

Failure is something Sexton isn't accustomed to, said Cpl. Parker Fields, a fellow amphibious assault vehicle repair technician with the battalion, who works with Sexton on a regular basis. He can't remember how many different things the motivated sergeant does in a day.

“Being the NCO-in-charge for the section is a difficult task, but he handles it well,” said Fields. “He does so many things at one time, it's crazy. It's hard to catch him in the same place twice. (Sexton) is constantly moving around and getting things done around (the shop).”

A Marine who bares witness to that is Gunnery Sgt. Richard T. Bishop, the maintenance chief for ordnance platoon, General Support Maintenance Company, 2nd Maint. Bn., who confidently assigns these responsibilities to Sexton and expects them to be done proficiently.

“His daily (duties) include amphibious assault water training NCO and platoon sergeant, with which he is doing an outstanding job,” said Bishop. “The Marines in the shop always go to him first, they trust him and he's performed way above his level in taking care of the Marines and the jobs.”

Though he doesn't know whether he'll continue to reenlist, Sexton does assure his Marines he'll keep up the motivated and dedicated attitude they have come to know in the meantime.
Article and photo by USMC Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado
2nd Marine Logistics Group
Copyright 2011

Reprinted from Marine Corps News

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