Marines

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Lt. Col. Paul F. Bertholf, incoming commander of Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools, passes the unit’s guidon to Sgt. Maj. Jon W. Turner, MCCSSS sergeant major, signifying the official change of command aboard Camp Johnson July 31. Bertholf previously worked at the Pentagon before coming to MCCSSS.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting

Extreme makeover: commanding officer edition

30 Jul 2012 | Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools trains many Marines every year in the fields of personal administration, supply, financial management and logistics operations, among others.

MCCSSS held a change of command ceremony July 30 aboard Camp Johnson, in which Lt. Col. Timothy B. Seamon relinquished command of the unit to Lt. Col. Paul F. Bertholf.

Seamon assumed command of MCCSSS April 13, 2012.

Bertholf was formerly assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon in the J4 Directorate, where he worked as the readiness, exercises and plans officer, as well as the sealift and joint logistics over the shore officer.

The ceremony was comprised mainly of Marines who were enrolled in schools aboard Camp Johnson, and both officers were very grateful the Marines sacrificed their own time to be a part of the ceremony.

Seamon said he enjoyed being the unit’s commanding officer. He also thanked many individuals who, he said, made his job very easy. He admired the hard work of his co-workers, both Marine and civilian, and appreciated all the help he had during his time at MCCSSS.

“You can’t do anything without support,” he said.

Seamon thanked his wife for helping him with many of the things he couldn’t do by himself, and for her undying love and support.

Bertholf said he is excited to take the reins from Seamon and continue to do what MCCSSS does smoothly with little transition. He said he’s confident with the staff he’s inheriting from Seamon, and he foresees little to no problems moving forward.

Bertholf talked about MCCSSS and how he is specifically looking forward to being in charge of the schools that produce Marines who contribute important roles and skills to the Marine Air Ground Task Force.

“My motto is ‘earn the title every day,’” said Bertholf. He explained how he is going to bring that mentality with him to his new unit, and will ensure he does his part in making sure the command will continue to do what it has been doing for years.

Seamon will resume command as director of Train the Trainer School, where he was before he became the commanding officer of MCCSSS.


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