|
|
Petty Officer 3rd Class Paul M. Koch, a logistics specialist with 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, poses for a picture aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 17, 2012. Koch has managed to distinguish himself among leathernecks for nearly five years by deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. He also received his Fleet Marine Force Badge and volunteered to participate in Corporal's Course in March 2011.
Photo by USMC Cpl. Bruno J. Bego
|
|
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (7/19/2012) –
Corpsmen, medical officers, religious service specialists
and chaplains are the most common Navy specialties seen
working hand-to-hand with Marines. However, other jobs such
as logistics specialists are a much more uncommon sight.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Paul M. Koch, a logistics specialist with
2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, has managed to
distinguish himself among leathernecks for nearly five years.
Koch's career started in 2007, when he joined the Navy with the
desire of becoming a corpsman and deploying.
“I wasn't able
to get the job I wanted, so the logistics specialist job opened up
and I took it,” the Silver City, Iowa, native explained. “I was
concerned because I didn't know if I was going to be able to deploy
around the world with this [job].” |
The logistics specialist occupational specialty
was created as a result of combining the Navy's storekeeper and
postal clerk specialties. LS sailors are in charge of taking
inventory of general supplies that support ships and squadrons.
The job demands are similar to the Marine Corps' warehouse
and postal clerks.
During his time at the Naval
Technical Training Center aboard Naval Air Station Meridian,
Miss., Koch made it clear to his superiors that he wanted to
serve in an operational unit, such as the Seabees. Upon
graduation, though, he was informed that his wish was not
possible.
“I was told that there was an opening with
a Marine Corps unit instead,” he said. “I thought it was
cool I was going to get to work with the Marines.”
What Koch did not think was that the Marines were going to
take him for a spin in some of the most dangerous terrain
known to mankind.
He started by volunteering to
deploy with the battalion in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom in 2009.
“In Iraq I got to meet a lot of
great people and that's where I got more involved with
Marines,” Koch explained. “During that deployment I received
my [Fleet Marine Force badge].”
The FMF is a badge
earned by naval personnel who are trained and qualified to
operate with Marines.
After returning from his first
deployment, Koch was promoted to petty officer 3rd class. He
continued to serve with his battalion and alongside Marines,
but in March of 2011 he decided to pick up the pace and
volunteer to participate in Corporal's Course.
The
month-long course is designed to toughen non-commissioned
officers physically and mentally through grueling physical
training sessions and formal classroom instruction. The goal
is to reinforce leadership principles among young leaders.
“I thought the course was a way for me to improve my
leadership skills and to be at the same level as some of the
Marines [non-commissioned officers] in my shop,” he added.
Koch's successful completion of Corporal's Course
was followed by a second deployment with the unit to
Afghanistan in support of International Security Assistance
Force operations from September 2011 to March 2012.
“I am very proud of what I have done, I am proud of my
deployments and my service alongside Marines,” Koch said.
Although Koch's military career has come to an end,
his experience in the Navy and the time he spent with the
Marines at Camp Lejeune and the Middle East will certainly
serve him well as he ventures into a new phase of his life.
Koch will use his educational funds to attend Tidewater
Community College, Virginia Beach, Va., where he will pursue
his life-long dream of completing his degree in emergency
medical services and work with the fire department.
“While I am checking out I feel like I don't want to leave
because this is what I've known for the past five years, but
it is time to move on,” Koch concluded.
Courtesy of 2nd Marine Logistics Group
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
Comment on this article |
