MCLB-Albany holds Friday sergeants major relief and appointment ceremony

MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE-ALBANY – With the pomp of a U.S. Marine ceremony, Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany bid farewell to its departing sergeant major and welcomed his replacement as the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer at the facility on Friday.

Sgt. Maj. Chad Coston handed a ceremonial sword to his replacement, Sgt. Maj. Frank Kammer Jr., during the morning program with an audience of Marines and local representatives from the community.

Kammer is a familiar face to Base Commander Col. Matthew McKinney. The two spent an extended period of time aboard the USS Oak Hill, a naval loading ship dock, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The only way to keep everyone safe was no one gets on, no one gets off,” he said.

That experience should go a long way toward building a relationship between the two, Kammer said, as he assumes a role that calls for him to assist and advise the commander.

“We should start off on a good footing, as a commander and sergeant major would normally take six or seven months to establish that relationship,” Kammer said.

Coston, whose official retirement date is June 6, 2024, plans to further his education with a goal of becoming a game warden with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]