Thursday, March 28, 2024

Boot Campaign Recognizes Alford McMichael [Video Profile]

boot campaign, alford mcmichael, eurweb
Boot Campaign Celebrates Black History Month February 2016 Recognizing Alford McMichael, 14th Sergeant Major of the U.S. Marine Corps (RET.)

Boot Campaign (BootCampaign.org) is privileged to celebrate the illustrious military career of nearly four decades by Alford “Al” McMichael, 14th Sergeant Major of the U.S. Marine Corps (RET.) during Black History Month 2016.

The Hope, Ark., native and Alexandria, Va., resident retired from active duty in 2006 after serving more than 36 years as a Marine. He was selected as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps in 1999, as the senior-ranking enlisted member and principal advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

He routinely testified before congressional committees on the training, quality of life, military compensation and the health and well-being representing over 200,000 active duty and reserve Marine Corps personnel and their families service wide.

Additionally, after completing this assignment in 2003, he became the first senior enlisted advisor to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), where he was the principal enlisted advisor to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR) responsible for approximately 2.3 million military personnel representing 28 countries, including the U.S.

As an 18-year-old in 1970 when McMichael left Arkansas and reported to boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif., he had no idea that his decision to enlist would result in such a distinguished and lengthy chapter in his professional life.

“I wanted to do more than just get a job,” remembers Sgt.Maj. McMichael.  “I wanted to make a difference, not only in my family, but in my community.  It changed my life.  It changed me not only from a high school graduate, but into a responsible adult.  It took me from boyhood to manhood in a manner of 13 weeks, and gave me the opportunity to understand the experience and environment that I would spend the next 37 years of my life doing, and that was leading Marines. That’s what made it special to me.”

Sergeant Major McMichael’s special military career also featured an assignment to the American Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, and numerous senior noncommissioned officer leadership assignments including director of Staff NCO Academy, NROTC Instructor at University of Minnesota, Sergeant Major of Officer Candidates School and Sergeant Major for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Division, Headquarters Marine Corps.

“What the Military did for me, it allowed me to realize that the boot that I was given as a young boy was way too big, but not impossible to wear,” he explains.  “The military had me grow to the right size so that it fit.”

And what a fit it was, as exemplified by his numerous personal decorations that included the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star.

“I know when I got my DD 214 (document issued upon a military service member’s retirement) and I walked away from the uniform, that I never walked away from the Marine Corp,” Sgt.Maj. McMichael says proudly.  “It was still in me.  I was a living proof that once a Marine, always a Marine.  I will never lose that title and that was the greatest accomplishment.  I achieved something that could never be taken away from me.”

For your distinguished military career and for getting your #BootsOn in support of America’s freedom, Boot Campaign thanks you for your service, Sergeant Major McMichael.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African-Americans and a time for recognizing their role in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African-Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as “Black History Month.”

 About Boot Campaign

Established in 2009, Boot Campaign is a national 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to promoting patriotism for America and our military community; raising awareness of the unique challenges service members face during and post-service; and providing assistance to military personnel, past and present, and their families.

Retail sales of combat boots, apparel, and mission-focused merchandise, general public donations, and corporate sponsorships fund programs that support military families. Learn more at https://bootcampaign.org and join the #BootsOn community on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @Bootcampaign.

Video Profile:  Alford McMichael, 14th Sergeant Major of the U.S. Marine Corps (RET.) 

 

 

 

 

 

source:
Barry Smith
barrys@bootcampaign.com

 

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