MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, made his last official visit to Camp Lejeune in the capacity of sergeant major of the Marine Corps here April 17.
“Thank you for the magnificent job you have done for the Marine Corps,” said Estrada. “As I look back on my career it was a very rewarding professionally and personally because of what you have done.”
During his visit, Estrada met with more than 300 staff noncommissioned officer at the Carolina Marine Air Ground Task Force SNCO professional military education meeting, where he spoke about goals and obstacles of the Marine Corps.
He spoke about the good support congress was giving the Marine Corps by helping to acquire 3,700 mine resistant vehicles, which increase the survivability of an improvised explosive device attack by 400 percent.
Estrada also touched on the subject of the plus up of the Marine Corps and that even though the Marine Corps will grow it will not lower the standard of living for Marines and they will continue his Barracks Campaign.
Before leaving, Sgt. Maj. R. D. Himsworth, the sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Force, presented Estrada with a golf bag as a parting gift from the Carolina MAGTF.
“I will be thinking of all of you,” said Estrada. “It was a privilege and an honor to represent all of you.”