MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (May 15, 2009) -- For centuries, military commanders have understood that change is a steady undertone in almost every significant characteristic of the battlefield environment. Weather, population, political and socio-economic factors, enemy capabilities, and even certain types of terrain are all characteristics of the battlefield that periodically change. So when the warriors of Marine Special Operations Support Group, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, experienced a change of command here May 11, their hearts and minds were stout and prepared for the coming transition.
As Marines, Sailors, civilian personnel and family members looked on, Col. Mark T. Aycock relinquished command of the MSOSG and passed leadership of the unit over to Lt. Col. Kevin A. Hawley. Both rain and sunshine were present at the ceremony on Soffert Field Parade Deck as the sky expressed mixed emotions on the occasion, but the words were all glowing about the accomplishments of Aycock during his command of the MSOSG from July 2007 until May 2009.
“What he has done is about three years ahead of schedule,” said Maj. Gen. Mastin M. Robeson, Commander, MARSOC. He has resourced and developed operators to go down range to (perform) vital functions in support of U.S. Special Operations Command. For example, today, (Aycock) has almost 160 Marines and Sailors deployed in support of 16 different units across the globe.
Under the leadership of Aycock, MSOSG was acknowledged across the Marine Corps and USSOCOM for its proficiency and excellence.
“Maybe the crowning moment, in my mind, is the recognition across the Marine Corps, in that one of (Aycock’s) units was named as the 2008 National Security Director’s Trophy champion – meaning they were the number one signals intelligence organization in the United States Marine Corps,” said Robeson. “That’s just a glimpse of what this command has done under the leadership of Mark Aycock.”
Despite his success in developing and executing a comprehensive training, resourcing, equipment and employment plan for the MSOSG, and also gaining recognition across the Corps, Aycock maintains that his success is due to the commitment and talent of his personnel.
“All these things get done not because of me, but because of the Marines and Sailors standing behind me,” said Aycock, referring to the formation of Marines and Sailors looking on.
In an address to his subordinate commanders, Aycock showed his appreciation for their help during his tenure.
“You made my job a lot easier,” said Aycock. “I could give you the ball and you just kept running and running. In most cases, I’d have to yank the leash back, and that’s fine. I’d rather have it that way than having to kick someone in the backside to get the job done.”
Aycock also had words of confidence for Hawley.
“Kevin, I told you earlier in the week that I wasn’t going to wish you luck,” said Aycock. “You don’t need the luck; you have it; you have what it takes to command the organization. You’ve got a great staff – use them. I can’t think of anyone better at this point in time, given the circumstances, that I would rather turn this over to.”
A chapter in the saga of MSOSG has finished and a new one has begun. In a short statement to the formation of Marines and Sailors of MSOSG, Hawley expressed the first line that will be recorded in the new chapter – “Let’s continue to march,” he said.