Commodore, 9th Regiment Visits NMCB 28 Reservists

GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- Capt. Terry Wilkerson, commodore, 9th Regiment, paid a three-day visit to Reservists from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 28 during Military Year annual training beginning March 24.

Wilkerson, accompanied by Master Chief Equipment Operator Bruce Blankenship, also from the 9th Regiment, spent time viewing chief and officer training at Camp Shelby, classroom training at CBC Gulfport, and range exercises following NMCB 28's weapons training.

"It's good for troop morale to actually have someone like the commodore, who is somewhat of a Seabee celebrity, come pay a visit and meet the enlisted folks," said NMCB 28 Command Master Chief CMDCM Larry Heikkila.

During exercises, Wilkerson observed the battalion for troop morale, followed up to make sure the battalion was reaching its stated goals, and made sure people were being taken care of.

Wilkerson also took time out to present commodore coins to the student in each class who achieved the quickest time in disassembling and assembling weapons. Equipment Operator 2nd Class Tim Lee was one of the students who received a coin from the commodore for his time on the machine gun, which he disassembled and assembled in 50 seconds.

"It was a great honor to receive a coin from the commodore," Lee said. "I was shocked, really."

On the whole, the visit was good for troop morale, providing the opportunity for many members of the battalion to meet Wilkerson and Blankenship for the first time, and contributing to the overall success of the exercise.

For related news, visit the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28 Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/nmcb28.