MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- He’s intimidating to some, he’s motivating to most, he’s a well-rounded, hard-charging leader to all. On Feb. 28, 2019, he proved it by earning the 2018 Marine Corps Installations Pacific Noncommissioned Officer of the Year award.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Akeel “The Guy” Austin earned the award for the superior performance of his duties as the station Communication Strategy and Operations’ photography section NCO in charge at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
Austin has consistently proven his prowess toward success by winning the NCO of the Quarter before being elevated to the MCIPAC NCO of the Year, gaining him the respect and admiration of his superiors, peers and subordinates alike.
“I look up to Sgt. Austin in many ways,” said Lance Cpl. Lauren Brune, a combat photographer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “As a leader, he is a mentor and he cares about his Marines’ progression in their work life and personal life. He balances both which is a good example for us and his peers, so I’m not surprised he’s the 2018 MCIPAC NCO of the Year.”
Austin said that he thinks the reason he was put up on the board is because of the impact he has made with junior Marines throughout the squadron.
“I think after being selected as the NCO of the Quarter, my command noticed the impact I had on the junior Marines throughout Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, and they determined that I would be a good candidate to compete for NCO of the Year at MCIPAC,” said Austin.
Along with the bragging rights of winning such a prestigious board, he also earned a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for winning it.
Originally from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Austin moved to Baltimore when he was 6 years old and would spend the remainder of his childhood there. He’s a graduate of Catonsville High School and attended some college before he enlisted in the Marine Corps during December of 2012, and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina.
Since enlisting, he has been selected to attach to multiple commands as a photographer and videographer. Most notably he deployed with the POW/MIA Accounting Agency to Vietnam in support of the joint recovery efforts for American remains from the Vietnam War. In 2015 he also deployed to Kuwait, Iraq and Bahrain as a combat videographer with Regimental Combat Team 1, Command Element, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 16.1.
In November of 2016 he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of sergeant. During the same year, Austin enrolled in and completed the Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Course achieving the additional military occupational specialty 0916, or martial arts instructor. In June of 2017 Austin was selected as one of 15 to attend the Advanced Photojournalism Program at the Samuel Irving Newhouse School at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York.
In June of 2018, Austin was assigned to COMMSTRAT at MCAS Iwakuni.
During his short time on the air station, his ability to adapt to any situation permitted him to assume duty as the photography NCOIC and platoon sergeant. More notably, he was the acting production chief, a billet that oversees all sections of COMMSTRAT, some of the sections being outside his military occupational specialty. Lastly, he also assumed duty within the Emergency Operations Center. Both of these positions are normally assigned to a Staff NCO.
In addition to his technical knowledge, initiative and dedication to his Marines, there is no question as to why he earned NCO of the Quarter, 4th Quarter, of Fiscal Year 2018, and ultimately the 2018 MCIPAC NCO of the Year.
“I think winning the award feels great, but it doesn’t really affect me too much,” said Austin. “I always think about what I’ve done, but it’s more about what the Marines have done that I support them through. It’s not about you anymore once you’re an NCO. Yes you have to take care of yourself, but most of your time is spent in front of the Marines and a lot of times younger Marines didn’t or don’t have a role model, or someone, to strive to be like. As a leader you’re always being looked at or imitated.”
Austin isn’t the type of person that rests on his achievements either.
“Nobody cares what you’ve done, it’s about what you’re doing and what you’re going to do,” said Austin. “Nothing about this platform will change the way I lead Marines. I want to attend more courses to give me more tools, so I can better the Marines around me.”
During his off time, Austin listens to leadership audiobooks written by some of his favorite role models such as David Goggins, Jocko Willink and many others. He said that they help with his decision making and balancing his role between his Marines and his senior leadership. He also takes time to ensure his appearance and physical fitness are up to par by going to the gym six days a week. When he isn’t reading books or “getting swole” at the gym, he can be found at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program pit facilitating sustainment integration, by-the-book training and combat conditioning to Marines from all over the air station.
“Martial arts allows me to get down and dirty with the Marines,” said Austin. “Being able to connect with Marines from private to gunnery sergeant just through MCMAP, physical training or any type of training, gives me more opportunities to learn about myself and them.”
Austin’s favorite part of the Marine Corps is the opportunity for mentor-mentee, leader-follower, and teacher-student relationships. He said he never witnessed that before, but he embraced it once he got to his first duty station.
His senior leadership with H&HS had a few words to say about him as well, so this goes to show that he genuinely gained the admiration of his superiors, peers and subordinates alike.