MARCENT Spokesman
Lt. Col. Sean Gibson Transferred
by Nathaniel R. Helms |
July 6, 2008
______________________________________________________
The
unflappable public affairs officer for the Marine Corps Central
Command during most of the explosive Haditha and Hamandiyah affairs is
moving on. Lt. Col. Sean Gibson has been transferred to Marine Corps
Installation West at Camp Pendleton after a tumultuous time facing
heat for the Marine Corps.
Lt.
Col. Gibson, who says his age is a “state secret,” never missed a beat
running the Camp Pendleton Media Center when it was the epicenter of
an international media feeding frenzy. Along with a small staff of
Marine public affairs specialists, Gibson quickly and honestly
responded to the endless barrage of questions from reporters who knew
nothing about the Marine Corps, everything about everything else, and
were never afraid to say so.
Gibson wasn’t always a PAO, he says. He learned the art of dodging
bullets and spears as an infantry officer. Before entering the public
arena 12 years ago he was a rifle platoon commander and company
executive officer in 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines,
the “Retreat Hell” battalion that took its motto comes from its
actions at Belleau Wood during WWI.
When
the fleeing French advised the newly arrived Marines to retreat in the
face of overwhelming odds, the battalion’s response was: “Retreat,
Hell!” Gibson never forgot his roots.
After attaining the rank of captain Gibson moved to the Marine Corps
Recruit Depot in San Diego to help forge boys into Marines. Twelve
years ago, Gibson “voluntarily moved into the public affairs field”
where he has served the balance of his career.
Defend Our Marines wants to thank Lt. Col. Gibson for his honesty,
forthrightness, and unceasing professionalism. He didn’t always tell
us what we wanted to hear, but he never failed to be courteous and
helpful when telling us what the Marine Corps wanted to say.
Thank you, Lt. Col. Gibson, and Godspeed wherever the Marine Corps takes
you next.
__________________________________________
Nathaniel R. Helms
Defend Our Marines
6 July 2008
Note: Nat Helms is a Contributing Editor to Defend Our
Marines. He is a Vietnam veteran, former police officer, war
correspondent, and, most recently, author of
My Men Are My Heroes: The Brad Kasal Story (Meredith Books, 2007).
