Marines

A Leader that loves it

13 Oct 2000 | Lance Cpl. Charles W. Palmer IV Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

When a unit takes part in an exercise, such as the recent type commanders amphibious training off the North Carolina Coast, the overall responsibility falls under the commanding officer.

Unfortunately, the commanding officer can't be everywhere his troops go, and fortunately he has responsible leaders to follow through with his commands.

The Marine Corps sergeant is an example of this type of leader.
Sergeant. Kevin S. Moul, of Crestveiw, Fla., who was the acting platoon sergeant for Weapons Platoon, India Company (The 'Fightin' I), 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, lead his men in the ground combat element's portion of the TCAT's recent amphibious assault. He said he did this not for glory, but for the pride he feels in his job. 

"I love the infantry.  I wouldn't ever change my MOS (the 0311 military occupational specialty).  I made sure my contract said I would come back to a line company," said Moul, who recently re-enlisted.

Moul, who speaks proudly of his fellow 'grunts,' cautions those who think being a rifleman is easy.

"The infantry isn't for everybody. The higher (rank) you get, the better it gets, but you also have more responsibilities," he said.

The recently promoted sergeant did not always think his future was with the Corps.

"I originally wanted to be an Army Ranger," he explained. "The Army couldn't guarantee me infantry.  They wanted me to be a parachute packer. So, I said 'no way' and left MEPS (military enlisting processing station) and talked to the Marine Corps recruiter."

Moul said being a Marine sergeant and forward deployed has its perks.

"I love ship.  It's better overseas when you're in another port," Moul said.  "It's what I joined the Marine Corps for.  I wanted travel, training and challenges.  I've got everything I expected."

He explained that his excitement for the Corps skyrocketed with his first duty assignment.

"My first duty station was at '8th and I,'(Marine Corps Barracks, Washington)," he said. "It was the most exciting thing I've done in the Marine Corps. I got to meet a lot of ambassadors and presidents of other countries. The type of people you don't meet every day."

He said that although he loves the Corps, the only thing he has a problem with is how Marines are portrayed in recruiting commercials.

"I feel more people would join the Marine Corps if the commercials showed what we really do," said Moul, who originally wanted to join the Army because they showed training in their ads. "We don't go around playing chess and slaying dragons."