MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- You may have seen him standing post at one of the station’s gates, checking identification and acting as the face of the air station. Perhaps he responded to your emergency call as either a reassuring voice on the phone or the Marine who arrived at the scene. And although many may not know, he is always on the alert, acting as the station’s last line of defense against any who threaten its security.
The service member assuming so many roles is Lance Cpl. Kevin R. Lynn, Provost Marshal’s Office military policeman and Topeka, Kan., native, and his outstanding achievements have recently earned him the title Marine of the Year for Marine Corps Bases Japan.
Selected as Military Policeman of the Month in October and December 2006 and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Marine of the Quarter for the first quarter of fiscal year 2007, Lynn was an outstanding prospect for recognition through the Marine of the Year award, said Master Sgt. Peter A. Amato, PMO provost sergeant and Saugerties N.Y., native.
His initiative, leadership by example, and devotion to his duties embody the finest characteristics of a Lance Corporal of Marines, Amato added.
Lynn credits his nomination and receipt of the award to simply, “Meeting the needs of the Marine Corps,” but this humble response contradicts the hard work and initiative the blonde-haired achiever puts forth every day.
Aside from standing 12-hour shifts at the gate, Lynn spends time patrolling in a vehicle and working with the Emergency Communication Center monitoring emergency calls, alarms, and observing closed circuit video of the station.
“We deal with traffic violations, any kind of intruder alarms on base, medical assists, fire alarms … we stay pretty busy,” the 20-year-old said. “You’re basically the eyes and the ears of the base.”
Lynn is also a member of the Special Reaction Team, which uses special weapons and tactics to diffuse especially hazardous situations.
“It’s basically the same as a civilian SWAT team,” Lynn said.
According to his former watch commander, Lynn’s achievements are impressive, especially considering he has spent less than two years in the Marine Corps.
“Right from the get-go he showed responsibility and maturity for someone his age,” said Staff Sgt. Neil W. Constine, PMO military policeman and Marinette, Wis., native. “He was given the opportunity to become an ECC dispatcher, and with that he also showed drive and was selected to be an SRT member.”
He was provided the chance to try these things and was able to accomplish everything much faster than an average Marine, Constine added.
Although Lynn is not ruling out a career as a Marine, his interests and ambitions are as varied as the billets he holds.
“I really like the Marine Corps and I enjoy my job, but there’s too many things in the world I want to do and not enough time,” Lynn said with a wide smile. “I want to design golf courses and be a landscape architect, but I’d also like to be a mechanic and work on motorcycles or cars … I grew up playing every sport possible or trying whatever caught my mind, and I’m always open to new ideas.”
Lynn is proud of his accomplishments, but maintains there is no secret to his success, and feels any of his contemporaries could earn the title Marine of the Year.
“Everything the Marine Corps has asked me to do so far I’ve accomplished, and then just a little bit more,” Lynn said. “I think (winning the award) sets a good example, because Marines that know me know this can happen to anybody.”