Motivated Marine not content with just sitting around

[thedrifter]

May 1, 2003

Motivated Marine not content with just sitting around
BY MARINE CORPS SGT. CHET DECKER

Junior enlisted Marines new to Hampton Roads don?t have to fall victim to many of the pitfalls that service members encounter when checking into their first duty stations. There?s little need to become a ?barracks rat? or let alcohol or other dangers hamper your career. Most leaders will tell you there are plenty of activities that allow you to spend your time helping others and learning at the same time.

At U.S. Marine Corps Forces Atlantic, 19-year-old Lance Cpl. Jordan Kaufenberg will tell you the same thing. The Eagan, Minn., native has been in the Marine Corps just more than a year-and-a-half and he?s already donating his time to local causes and is a member of the MarForLant color guard.


?If I hear something else is going on besides the same old everyday thing, it just perks my interest,? said Kaufenberg, about volunteering to do everything from read to children at a local elementary school to talking with the elderly at a veteran?s home. ?The most powerful thing is knowledge. When you talk to these people, whether they?re 9 years old or 90 years old, they always have something to share with you that you can take back with you.?


Kaufenberg ? although junior in rank ? can serve as inspiration to other Marines who may be new to the Corps or veterans. There is a common belief that those who volunteer get more out of volunteering than those they donate their time and efforts to. So, to those who bemoan, ?But there?s nothing to do this weekend,? Kaufenberg has an answer.


?There?s always something to do. Saying there isn?t is just an excuse to be lazy,? said Kaufenberg, who works in MarForLant?s disbursing office. ?Just this past weekend I was afforded the opportunity to escort senators, generals, admirals and other distinguished guests to an awesome evening to honor USO award recipients.?


Kaufenberg definitely isn?t your average service member. He takes the Marine adage ?You?re a Marine 24-hours-a- day? seriously.

?He is a true competitor, through and through,? said Gunnery Sgt. Michael Mack, Kaufenberg?s pay deck staff noncommissioned officer in charge. ?When it comes to competition and wanting to be the best, he always wants to be the first one to take the full 30-inch step and jump out there to be in front. He takes charge of the situation.?


Since a sergeant?s departure from MarForLant, Kaufenberg has not only continued his workload but added the sergeant?s as well. ?Kaufenberg has been doing everything that was done by a seasoned sergeant and doing it all by himself,? said Mack, of Irvington, N.J. ?His knowledge and his bearing are far beyond that of his time in service.?


A look at the young Marine?s future plans shows Kaufenberg is looking to make the most of his Marine Corps experiences.


Kaufenberg, who is enrolling at a local university, hopes to become an officer someday, but before he does that he has some enlisted plans to take care of. He plans on being meritoriously promoted to corporal and applying for Marine Security Guard duty to serve at a U.S. embassy abroad. He also sees the drill field as a future challenge.



Sempers,

Roger