Marines

It is my distinct honor to serve as the Commanding Officer of Headquarters and Support Battalion.  Together, we provide a diverse array of products and services to our fellow Marines, Sailors, Civilians, Family Members, and the local community to support current and future operations. We influence virtually every aspect of the installation’s occupants, so each member of the command must perform at the highest level.

We will continue to maintain our high caliber of service by focusing on three critical pillars: Leadership, Readiness, and Family.

LEADERSHIP. As MCWP 6-10 states, “The act of leading Marines is a sacred responsibility and a rewarding experience.” This perishable skill is both an art and science requiring continuous study and constant refinement. We, as leaders, must seek opportunities to exercise initiative, innovation, and decisiveness in our daily routine.  Doing so will allow you to refine your leadership style, develop your abilities, and expand your sphere of influence.  Do not wait until you are in a particular billet or earn a certain rank! Remember that ours is not a ‘one size fits all’ environment.  Solicit feedback from both seniors and subordinates alike throughout the conduct of your duties, and adapt your methodology as the situation requires. I challenge you all to be leaders, taking action and assuming responsibility at every level of this command.  Set the example, take charge, and carry out this sacred responsibility.

READINESS. Individual preparation and unit training are essential elements to accomplish our command’s mission.  Like a chain is only as strong as the weakest link, the strength of this battalion is determined by the individual Marine, Sailor, and Civilian. We must study our governing doctrine and regulations in order to master our daily responsibilities.  We should also seek to learn something new every day, and then teach it to those around us. This will improve the quality of our service and allow us to act decisively when the situation requires an innovative solution.  Time and experience may have already determined best practices, but we must pursue new methods relentlessly if there is a better way to accomplish the task at hand. Know the standards, train to meet the standards, and strive to exceed the standards - We will be measured against them.  We will not “prepare” for inspections; instead, inspections will validate the quality of our individual preparation, unit training, and command readiness.

FAMILY.  Our families are a critical element of our success at work, so I ask all of you to attend to your family’s needs like the command will attend to yours.  Each ‘family’ may take any number of forms and the composition will change with each individual; however, the concept remains the same.  Spend quality time with your family when possible; involve them in your decision-making process and take advantage of the installation’s family programs. It is also important to remember that this command is its own unique family. We are much more than coworkers and colleagues, so our interactions must develop a deeper, more meaningful context and be rooted in both dignity and respect. Our success stems from the strength of our family, so invest the time and effort to develop this precious resource.

I am committed to every Marine, Sailor, and member of the Civilian Workforce within this battalion.  Together, we will provide exceptional support to the operating forces, the installation, our families, and the local community. This requires our maximum effort in every task, large or small, so our sterling reputation must be earned each and every day.  We will be leaders. We will be ready. We are a family.

Colonel Scott E. Conway, USMC
Commanding Officer, Headquarters & Support Battalion
Marine Corps Installations East – Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

[Click here for a PDF version of the Command Vision and Leadership Philosophy]