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Sergeant Keeps His Marines On The Road ... To Success
(August 20, 2009) |
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AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq-Sgt. Juan Tellorios (right), platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon, Truck Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward), prepares his Marines, Cpl. Justin C. Keith (left) and Cpl. Brandon Davis, for a convoy before departing Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Aug. 1, 2009. Tellorios sets a positive example for his junior Marines by providing guidance about both the Marine Corps and everyday life. |
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AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq (8/17/2009) — Lead by example. It's
easier said than done for most; but one Marine from Truck Company, II Marine
Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward), makes it look natural.
Sgt. Juan Tellorios, platoon sergeant for Truck Company's 1st Platoon, joined
the Marine Corps after seeing a recruiter wearing one of the most recognizable
uniforms of the U.S. military.
“I was inspired by a staff sergeant who came to our school in San Diego,” said
Tellorios. “He was wearing [a Marine Corps blue dress uniform]. I remember
looking at the uniform, and it caught my attention more than anything. After
that, I went to the recruiter.”
During his time in the Marine Corps, “Sgt. T” has learned to mentor and motivate
his junior Marines with both his work performance and his personal character. |
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“I have been working under Sgt. T for about three years,” said
Cpl. Justin C. Keith, a motor transport operator with 1st Plt. “I have learned a
lot from him. He shows you not only how to be a Marine, but also how to be a man
at the same time.”
When Tellorios isn't preparing his Marines for multiple convoys, he is
conducting classes and making sure all of his Marines are current with Marine
Corps Institute exams, physical fitness tests and other professional military
education classes.
“He helps us with everything,” said Lance Cpl. Steven S. Conner, a motor
transport operator with 1st Plt. “Whether it's a PFT or a personal problem, or
even if we have a question on how to fix our trucks, he will stop what he's
doing to help us.”
Part of what helps Tellorios lead his Marines with such success is the example
he sets.
said Tellorios. “If they're going on a hump, you need to pack heavier, and if
they're going to be working out in the sun all day, the leaders need to be out
here with them.”
His effective leadership style has not gone unnoticed by his superiors at Truck
Co.
“He's very hands-on,” explained Chief Warrant Officer Ceylon Williams, commander
of 1st Plt. “It's 24/7 with Sgt. Tellorios, and that is the kind of interaction
that needs to happen for mission accomplishment. Hopefully, he can mentor and
train his corporals so we can have many more Sgt. Tellorios ‘mini-me's running
around the Marine Corps.”
Along with mission accomplishment, the bond the Marines have built with
Tellorios throughout this deployment is very important to him.
“The greatest feeling of all is to be able to work with junior Marines and to
teach them and to mentor them from private first class all the way to sergeant,”
said Tellorios.
"Along the way, you make them laugh, you make them smile and you build this
camaraderie that us really nowhere else to be found. I have only found it here
in the Marine Corps." | |
Article and photo by USMC Cpl. Triah Pendracki
Multi National Force - West
Copyright 2009
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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