New Marines leadership team in Albany takes a look Darton State College

ALBANY — For Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, Commanding General Marine Corps Logistics Command, and Col. James Carroll III, Commanding Officer Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany, the scorching heat of south Georgia in July while touring Darton State College Tuesday morning was like a trip back home.

Crenshaw is a Pensacola, Fla., native, and Carroll hails from Texas, so they are accustomed to the heat. They are, however, still working on getting used to the gnats.

The Marine Base’s newest leadership team arrived in town last month, and on Tuesday were given a guided tour of Darton State College by Interim President Paul Jones.

“I wouldn’t describe this as a ‘fact-finding tour’, but more of a visit to give us the opportunity to see what the school can provide our Marines, their families and base personnel,” Crenshaw said. “I’m here to meet the president to see what the school has to offer, and I am glad to be back in the area.”

Carroll, who replaced former MCLB-Albany Commanding Officer Col. Don Davis, said he will seek to strengthen the strong bond between the base and the community.

“We plan on continuing to build a strong relationship that exists with Darton, MCLB and the community,” Carroll said. “What I want out of this visit is to be shown some information; I want to be able to go back and articulate what Darton has to offer our Marines.”

For four straight years, Darton State has been named to the coveted Military Friendly Schools list by Victory Media, the media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life. The honor ranks Darton in the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

“This visit is important for us because we have new leadership in the area,” Jones said. “We want to make a connection with this new leadership (Crenshaw and Carroll) so we can better support their efforts. Plus we wanted to let them see the place.”