MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- After three years of service as the sergeant major of Marine Aircraft Group 12, it is time for Sgt. Maj. Karl Villalino to move on to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.
Villalino is scheduled to be relieved by Sgt. Maj. Drew Benson, the current sergeant major of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, during a relief and appoinment ceremony at the Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 hangar here 10 a.m. Thursday.
“It has been an honor to work at this post,” said Villalino. “Because of the dynamic of MAG-12, you have to be very involved with all of the new Marines and (Unit Deployment Program) commands, and I have absolutely loved it.”
Villalino’s 24 years of Marine Corps service and dedication to duty have benefited MAG-12’s ability to grow in its operational readiness throughout his tour in Iwakuni.
“He was a great leader,” said Col. Stephen Nitzschke, the MAG-12 commanding officer. “The Marines respected him, the officers respected him, and like I always say, he was an individual who could advise the officers, direct enlisted Marines and not lose credibility with either one of those populations.”
Having a great mentor and predecessor is what has led to Villalino’s success, he said.
While serving as the MAG-12 sergeant major, Villalino has implemented more staff noncommissioned officer calls and professional military education, as well as having himself and the commanding officer meet with every new join that arrives to the unit.
“It’s important that they know who we are and the CO’s intent,” said Villalino.
But more importantly, he did the day-to-day tasks that were expected of a sergeant major by looking out for the Marines’ best interest and making sure MAG-12 was accomplishing the mission at the same time.
“Thank you so much to the Marines and sailors who have served under me, said Villalino. “They are accomplishing the mission and are really living up to our name, ‘The Ready Group’. They are some of the finest Marines around.”
After serving for three MAG-12 commanding officers, Villalino knows MAG-12 as well as the Western Pacific area of responsibility inside and out.
“He’s got a lot of experience,” said Nitzschke. “We will be losing a lot of corporate knowledge with him departing, but I have the utmost confidence that Sgt. Maj. Benson, the individual who is replacing him, will soon be able to fill his role.”
Now that it is time for Villalino to move on to new places and new adventures, Benson is ready to step up and take the job.
“He is ready and more than capable,” said Villalino. “Working with (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12) and working with some of the other sergeants major in the area, his learning curve will not be as steep, and he will be able to adapt much quicker than a new guy moving in here.”
Benson, who has served as the MALS-12 sergeant major since July 2009, explained how being selected as the MAG-12 sergeant major is a great privilege, but the feeling is bittersweet.
“It’s an honor to be able to serve for MAG-12, but I have mixed emotions,” said Benson. “I love MALS-12, and I love the Marines and sailors. It’s the best unit I’ve served for in all of my 28 years.”
He hopes to achieve the same kind of command climate at MAG-12 he established in MALS-12, he added.
“Our job up here is to take care of the Marines and sailors, and they will accomplish the mission,” said Benson.
Although Benson is ready to take over, he knows he has big shoes to fill.
“I plan to stay quiet and see how things run at first,” said Benson. “Sgt. Maj. Villalino has done a great job at MAG-12, and I know he will do great things in Yuma.”
With Benson in place as the new MAG-12 senior enlisted advisor, both of these exceptional sergeants major will take the reigns of their respective commands and further influence junior Marines under their charge.