Ready for the transition ;Sergeant major looks forward to retirement and a rocking chair in San Antonio;

10 Jun 2003 | Marine Corps Recruiting Command

After 30 years serving his country, he is now going to get a chance to enjoy a few more freedoms and a lot more liberty time.

Sergeant Maj. Jose D. Maldonado left his home in San Antonio, Texas looking for a direction and challenge for his life.  He found it in the United States Marine Corps.

"I didn't feel like I had a clear direction of what I wanted out of life," said Maldonado.  "I knew I didn't want to go to school."

At the time Maldonado joined the ranks of the Marine Corps, he was leaving a part of his life for a new organization he knew nothing about.  There were many problems in the military and because of his race Maldonado was thrown right into the mix of things.

"I came in at the end of the Vietnam era, the Marine Corps was going through a lot of turmoil," said Maldonado.  "We had a lot of drug problems and a lot of racial problems.  It was not unusual for a black Marine to be denied service at a local bar that was controlled by white Marines."

Maldonado had to deal with his own share of bigotry, sometimes even from the Marines in his office.  Many of them would call him racially derogatory names out of ignorance according to Maldonado.  After talking to his seniors about the slurs, the name-calling stopped, but Maldonado said the other Marines resented him for bringing it up.  In the end, even though he went through some hard times, Maldonado came out with an important lesson.

"Being part of that taught me survival in both worlds, being Hispanic and part of the Marine Corps which was supposed to be an all color society," said Maldonado.  "Those problems are still around, they just aren't as prominent."

According to Maldonado a big turning point for the Marine Corps was when SgtMaj. Alfred L. McMichael became the sergeant major of the Marine Corps.

"One of my best experiences was when I got to meet SgtMaj. McMichael," said Maldonado.  "Believe it or not when I came in my goal was to be the first Hispanic sergeant major of the Marine Corps.  Having a minority serving there told me that the Marine Corps has turned from a white only society.  Unfortunately, not a lot of minorities feel like that."

As this "salty" Marine talked about his early days in the Corps, a little smile crept into the corners of his mouth.  He couldn't help but let out a laugh every once in a while as he talked about the trouble he made for himself when he was just getting his feet wet.

"I got in trouble so many times I thought the floor buffer was my T.O. weapon," said Maldonado. 

He would get in trouble for getting drunk before he went on duty, not doing what he was supposed to or doing the job half way.

"I had good sergeants that worked with me and showed me what I was doing was wrong.  I saw one of those sergeants, he was a major at the time," said Maldonado, with one of those rare smiles back on his face.  "He couldn't believe that I was still in the Marine Corps and he really couldn't believe I was a sergeant major."

Maldonado takes those experiences from his past and uses them when young Marines under his command get in trouble.

"I talk to them," said Maldonado about Marines in trouble.  "I try to give them a do-over, but sometimes you just can't let them make the same mistakes over and over and they have to get in trouble.  I think there has only been one I couldn?t save."

One thing this seasoned leader feels is important is letting young noncommissioned officers make leadership decisions.  That is  advice he feels is important to leave in the minds of the Marines he works with.

"Expand yourself.  Simply because you are a corporal with no one to lead you are still a corporal with leadership traits.  Don't use that as an excuse not to grow and spread your wings as a leader," said Maldonado.

Many officers have on blinders and don't see why this is happening.  They look at a Marine and say he is not progressing and write him off, but it is because he has not been taught the basics, according to Maldonado.

"I have seen a lot of Marines who do not have the opportunity to spread their wings and use their leadership skills," said Maldonado.  "Somewhere along the lines someone decided that young Marines couldn't handle the responsibility."

"Every one has a different picture of what an ideal Marine is, but somehow he (Maldonado) is always able to unlock a person's potential, have them see it, and have them use it," said Sgt. Dave Sanchez, former legal chief, 12th Marine Corps District.

"I let the staff NCOs and the sergeants correct any mistakes they see in their section, I will give them advice whether they want it or not.  But it is up to them if they use it," said Maldonado.

After almost getting in trouble for an offense he didn't commit Maldonado said he saw how important the support of your senior Marines is.

"For two weeks my commanding officer raked me over the coals, but that wasn't the worst of it.  I didn't feel like I had any support from my first sergeant," said Maldonado.  "I knew that as a leader I would never let my Marines feel like they weren't getting the support they need.  They can always come to me for help."

His method of leadership hasn't gone unnoticed by his Marines.

"It is just his whole way of doing things and dealing with people that make them feel comfortable with him," said Sanchez.  "He makes us feel like we have a friend that we can go to that will help us."

Maldonado does not let his affection for the Marines get in the way of his duties as a leader. 

"My favorite quote is 'Don't let your compassion override your judgment,'" said Maldonado.

"He is a fair and understanding individual, someone you would be willing to follow into battle," said Sanchez.  "And if you saw him around the Depot or on the street you would be proud to say he was your sergeant major."

As Maldonado leaves the ranks he said that the hardest part will be starting over.

"I have been a sergeant major for seven years, I have been at the top of the food chain, now no one will be asking for my advice," said Maldonado. 

After 30 years of early morning physical training and staff meetings, Maldonado said that he couldn't just go into retirement cold turkey.

"I am going back to school.  I can't just stop, I don't think my body will last if I just stop," said Maldonado.  "Maybe I will taper off work later on but I can't just quit all of a sudden."

He will take more time to enjoy himself and spend time with his wife.  They are going to get a little house in Bear County, Texas and sit on the porch in their rocking chairs according to Maldonado.

He will also fill his time reading the latest supernatural or horror novels to hit the bookstands, especially anything by his favorite author, Ann Rice. 

Not all his time will be spent quietly.  He also enjoys driving his new Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. 

Giving up some of the responsibility will be a nice change, but it will take some getting used to. 

"If I could do another 30 years in the Marine Corps I would, but they are telling me it is time to go.  Besides, I think I have trained up my Marine Corps pretty well," said Maldonado.

Marine Corps Recruiting Command