Posted on 01/23/2006 2:12:33 PM PST by Libloather
Female colonel becomes first base commander for Camp Lejeune
Submitted by: MCB Camp Lejeune
Story Identification #: 200612391028
Story by Lance Cpl. Brandon R. Holgersen
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Jan. 23, 2006) -- Colonel Adele E. Hodges will become the first female colonel to command Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Jan. 23, replacing Maj. Gen. Robert C. Dickerson who was appointed the commander of Marine Corps Installations-East.
“I am very excited,” said Hodges. “It’s a large base and a large facility, and I am excited to be the first colonel assigned to this challenge.”
Hodges plans on upholding Camp Lejeune’s superb reputation and keeping and building on the relationship the base has with the local community.
“I want to keep the base as a viable part of the community and the Marine Corps following in the outstanding footsteps of my predecessor,” said Hodges.
Hodges plans on continuing the safety policies and wants to maintain and improve the morale of families and service members stationed here.
Camp Lejeune is one of Hodges’ favorite bases along with Camp Pendleton because they are big beautiful bases, which are much more beautiful than bases of the other services.
“I can’t help it, but I get a charge when I am surrounded by Marines,” Hodges said.
Hodges’ previous duty station was in Stavanger, Norway, working at the Norwegian Join National Headquarters installations called Jatta, before coming here. This is her fourth time being stationed at Camp Lejeune.
“Norway was beautiful, the base was extremely small, the job was good, the people were nice, but I’m happy to be with the Marine Corps again,” Hodges said. “Living and working in an international community was a great experience.”
Hodges never thought when she joined the Marine Corps in 1978 she would be commanding an installation.
“My only aspiration when I first joined the Corps was to be the best Marine I could be for four years,” Hodges said. “Even after I was commissioned, the thought of commanding Camp Lejeune, or any other installation, was something I thought could never happen to me.”
Hodges was not always an officer. She started here career as a supply administrative clerk, received her commission and went back to supply school to become a supply officer. During her first tour, her administrative chief convinced her to apply for the Enlisted Commissioning Program when he found out she had a bachelor’s degree and credit towards here master’s degree.
(Camp Lejeune, N.C.-AP, Jan. 23, 2006 5:58 AM) _ The first female commander in Camp Lejeune's six-decade history in North Carolina is a Bridgeport native.
Colonel Adele Hodges takes over today at the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast.
Hodges enlisted in 1978 at her sister's urging with the plan of serving for four years and then returning home to Bridgeport. But Hodges discovered during her first assignment at Camp Pendleton in California that she wanted to lead Marines.
She already had a degree from Southern Connecticut State College and was accepted into the Enlisted Commissioning Program to become an officer. She became a second lieutenant in 1980.
She comes to Camp Lejeune from a stint at the NATO Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger, Norway. She's also served in Hawaii and Okinawa. In 1991, she deployed with the 2nd Marine Division to Operation Desert Storm.
http://www.wtnh.com/global/story.asp?s=4395717
Bill CLinton has gotta be kicking himself*!!!
*over the fact that THIS female appointment didn't occur under his presidential terms.
her sergeant major is black too ;) it was a nice ceremony; i think most were shocked as to the number of people who showed up. the sergeant major of the marine corps was on hand as well.
how unfortunate..
Wonder what Chesty thinks of this up in heaven.
Why, other than a Colonel is filling a Major General's billent, apparently...?
"how unfortunate.."
Why? She's the post commander--she's in charge of making sure the combat units have the facilities needed (ranges, classrooms, chow halls, barracks) needed to be ready for war. Mostly, it's a matter of managing the military equivalent of a medium-sized corporation.
Can she do that job? If "yes," then let her free up a man to command an infantry regiment.
"Wonder what Chesty thinks of this up in heaven."
Probably withholding judgement to see if she does a good job.
Remember folks, an installation commander is not the same thing as a commander of the units stationed on the base. She has not been named commander of the 2nd Marine Division.
I hope she does a great job and gets raised in rank.
I wondered the same thing, but then I wondered if maybe it's a 1-star billet. She's probably on the list for 1-star, and the last occupant of the billet is newly promoted to his second star......
Sounds to me like she has that potential.
HOOO AH!
I hope she does a great job.
I think of all the young people I know who would benefit from her council, and I will personally make sure that all of them will see this accomplishment.
All political. Chesty, We know you are rolling over in your grave.
Maybe she will hire Harry to be her day-o press agent(uncalled for but funny) well maybe.
Not sure about the corps, but in the Army, it's probably more analogous to mayor. The installation commander is responsible for the maintenance and development of infrastructure (with their own DPW/DEH), Emergency Services, (Fire and MP), Hospital facility, etc. as well as serve as a figurehead for various ceremonies. Typically, the individual will have officer(s) on post who outrank(s) him/her, and can make the position especially challenging...I wish her well...the wellbeing of a lot Marines and their families is tied directly to her success.
Having served 20 months at Camp Lejeune in the 70s at HQ Force Troops so I'll withold judgement, but remind us all that a Female Supply Line Officer was also given command of Abu Ghraib Prison, and that didn't turn out to well.
Semper Fi
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