Marine Corps Logistics Command Albany, Ga. -- Family members, Marines and civilian-Marines bid farewell to Maj. Jason J. Gates, operations officer, Marine Force Storage Command, during a retirement ceremony, April 19.
Gates retired from the Marine Corps after 22 years of honorable service during a ceremony held at Building 1430 aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia.
He acknowledged his family and thanked the Marines and civilian-Marines for their contributions to the Marine Corps and attending the ceremony.
During his speech, Gates did not speak about his accomplishments, but shared several leadership tips, with the emphasis of putting people first, which made him successful in the Marine Corps.
“A good leader listens,” he said. “People love to talk about themselves. Always make it about the other person in a conversation. I have a rule where I try to ask three questions about the other person before I state anything. Ask their opinion on how to do something, even if you already know the answer.”
He said building relationships with people is so vital that it can truly make or break an organization.
“It took me over 20 years, but I finally figured it out once I showed up here,” he stated. “It’s simple things like asking how their weekend was or giving them a hand written card that recognizes specific contributions.”
The last leadership tip and challenge he gave to the audience is to make people feel good about themselves.
“People will forget what you say, people will forget what you do, but they will never forget the way you make them feel,” he said.
Gates said he loved what he did in the Marine Corps and was grateful for his experiences.
“It was an honor to serve my nation, the Corps, the Marines, both superiors and subordinates alike, as well as civilians and contractors for 22 plus years,” he concluded. “I use to think this was something cliché that people said at retirements, but you’ll truly never quite understand it until you yourself are getting ready to retire.”
Lt. Col. Timothy B. Egan, director, Fleet Storage Division-Albany, MFSC, presided over the ceremony as Gates’ retiring officer.
“Today is bitter sweet,” Egan said. “He has done phenomenal things here. He arrived here after the tornado that touched down on base in January 2017. He put together some of the recovery efforts including preparing the warehouses for storage, putting together maintenance sections and bringing in the Marine reservists to help with vehicle maintenance due to the storm.”
Egan said Gates will be missed and the command wishes him well.
“His future is bright,” he added. “He is one of those few people you can evaluate quickly and see that he has intelligence and the ability to quickly analyze situations, make decisions, give orders and carry on with the mission. All of this, along with his work ethic, will carry him far. He is going to be successful no matter where he goes.”