Marine Corps Logistics Command Albany, GA -- In 1989, postage stamps were 25 cents, The Simpsons and movies including The Little Mermaid and Dead Poets Society made their debut, the first High Definition Television broadcast happened, the Game Boy made its debut and Taylor Swift was born.
This was also the year Maj. William H. Anderson attended Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, where he earned his Eagle, Globe and Anchor.
Now 30 years later, Anderson, the deputy director, Supply Integration Division, Logistics Service Management Center, Marine Corps Logistics Command, will retire from active duty during a ceremony May 31 at Covella Pond at 10 a.m.
“I grew up in a small mountain town in Idaho and joined the Marine Corps in 1989 where I shipped directly to boot camp without physically meeting my recruiter, who was six hours away in Boise,” Anderson said.
According to Anderson, that was the first time he flew in an airplane and it was to boot camp of all places.
Although this was his first flight, it was not his last as he has traveled all over the world.
“My first duty station was with an infantry battalion in Hawaii where we immediately deployed to Okinawa Japan, then to Operation Desert Storm, home, and back again to Okinawa Japan,” he said. “It was a blur as we were constantly training and preparing for deployment. I learned the most valuable lesson during those tough and spartan years… the Marine Corps is a meritocracy!
“If you work hard, do what you are told, do what is right, and perform, it is rewarded,” he continued. “I quickly learned that with a little effort, I could stand out in the crowd and be recognized, be promoted, and be counted on.”
But Anderson wanted more.
“I wanted more responsibility and more challenges,” he claimed. “I convinced my Regimental Commander Col. Wayne Rollins, Navy Cross recipient, who was later promoted to lieutenant general that I needed to go to the drill field.”
Anderson, then a corporal, checked into Drill Instructor school as a confident and competent noncommissioned officer, ready to train the next generation of Marines.
“I loved every minute of it and thrived in the struggle of life as a drill instructor and senior drill instructor,” he said.
After the drill field and when he was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant, Anderson committed himself to become a technically and tactically proficient logistician and leader.
“What better way to do this than be on a Marine expeditionary unit,” he said. “It was a fantastic place to learn and be challenged.
“I learned that leadership was so much more than the rank on the collar and the ability to get Marines to do what needed to be done,” he continued. “It was a genuine commitment to your Marines and a willingness to teach them, mold them, counsel them, and push them.”
Anderson continued to fill his passion of mentoring as he was selected to teach Navy and Marine Corps officer candidates at Old Dominion University and during the summer, train candidates at Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia.
“It was incredibly rewarding as I had a hand in training, mentoring and developing officers,” he stated. “While I loved the job, I couldn’t help be a little disappointed in the quality of enlisted Marines that I trained. As I complained about the shortcomings of those enlisted Marines selected for officer training, my boss told me that if I didn’t like it, do it yourself.
“The next year, my boss nominated me for the Meritorious Commissioning Program and I was selected,” he added. “I was extremely excited but also leery about going from the rank of gunnery sergeant to a second lieutenant. I learned a great deal about humility in the next couple years.”
Marines lead, guide and mentor in preparation of combat, Anderson noted.
“I have had the privilege to train Marines for combat, lead Marines in combat, and bring Marines safely home from combat,” he said.
Looking back over his 30-year career, Anderson said he has had many people, including his parents, family, friends and mentors, helped him become the man and Marine he is today.
One special person he acknowledged is his elementary school teacher.
“I have enjoyed a great deal of success in the Marine Corps and that I owe in large part to my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Candace Hargraves,” he said. “She was the one adult in my young life that genuinely cared about me and taught me self-worth. I am grateful and I am convinced that it only takes a little compassion, empathy, and concern to change someone’s life… and that is real leadership.”
Eric Gilmer, manger, Program Execution Branch, Marine Depot Maintenance Command and retired Marine chief warrant officer 4, served with Anderson at MWSS-274 from 2005-2007.
“His enlisted experience, private through gunnery sergeant, while serving as a lieutenant and captain was a valuable asset to the command,” Gilmer said. “He was a mentor to all of the young officers and enlisted in our squadron.
“His impact on those Marines that have had the pleasure to serve with Major Anderson personifies Marine leadership,” he concluded. “He demanded putting forth the best effort in an attempt to achieve the highest standards of performance from himself and his Marines.”
After serving the Corps and nation for three decades and missing birthdays, anniversaries and other special events due to deployments, Anderson’s retirement plans are to spend a lot more quality time with his wife and two children.