MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- The master chief petty officer of the Navy, Master Chief Petty Officer Rick D. West, visited sailors aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Aug. 3-4.
The MCPON’s tour included a visit with the II Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, and tours of the Camp Lejeune’s Naval Hospital and the Field Medical Training Battalion aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Johnson, N.C.
He was also given tours of 6th Marine Regiment and 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment’s aid stations and a warehouse run by the Medical Logistics Company, 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group.
“From what I saw of Camp Lejeune, I was very impressed by not only the sailors, but the Marines who make up this base,” said West. “It’s a good team down here.”
West said he came to visit Camp Lejeune’s sailors and spent most of his time talking with them as he toured the base.
“It’s not every day that the senior enlisted member of the Navy comes down to talk to you,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Amanda Kelly, a sailor with II MEF. “It’s great to show him how the Navy and Marine Corps work together. We’re a Navy and Marine Corps team.”
During his visit, West held two all-hands meetings aboard Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point where sailors received an opportunity to ask him questions.
West answered questions about signing bonuses, new requirements for naval warfare devices and any other issues the sailors wished to address.
After the meetings, West enjoyed a meal with Marines and sailors of Cherry Point.
“I could not be more proud of our sailors and Marines here,” said West. “Our sailors and Marines make up a great team and it’s always good to see them in action.”
The MCPON added that he wants to come back and spend more time with the sailors and Marines of Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point. He enjoyed seeing teamwork in action and FMF sailors doing the job they’ve been trained to do so well.