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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
LtCol Craig Covert U.S. Marine Corps (Ret) (1987-2014)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS?
 From early childhood, I always knew I was destined to join the military. Seems it was in my blood - I never played cowboys and Indians - it was always something "army" or military related. My dad was a WWII Navy vet, though he never talked much about his service. Whereas my stepdad was a retired KC-135 pilot and never left the aviation field, even after retirement. Initially, I wanted to join the USAF, but my vision sucked so I knew I'd never fly. Sometime in my teens, I saw a TV guide ad showing some camouflaged Marines in the jungle on a rubber raft. I thought they were the coolest guys ever! The Marines in that ad were the epitome of what I thought someone should look like in the military! From that point on, I wanted to join the Corps. No one in my family had ever served in the Corps, which made it even more appealing.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Toward the end of high school, I visited a recruiter to inquire about enlisting, as I had not yet been accepted into college. I had applied to the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), the Naval Academy and the Citadel - I was going in the military come hell or
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| Commissioning at VMI, May 1987 |
high water, with or without a commission.
Fortunately, I received a late admission offer to Virginia Military Institute (VMI), my first choice for college, in the spring of '83. On the first day at matriculation, all new VMI cadets had to choose their academic major and service option, since military service was mandatory after graduation back in the 80's. I told the officer manning the service desk that I wanted to go into the Marines. Without hesitation, he responded "At VMI, you don't choose the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps chooses you. You're Navy. Next!" I was crushed - I thought I was forever stuck as a Navy option cadet.
Thankfully, good grades and sheer luck resulted in the Corps awarding me a 3 year Marine Corps ROTC scholarship. Only 22 of us were commissioned into the Corps at graduation from a class of about 230, and nearly all of us held cadet leadership positions at VMI, which gave us the opportunity to cut our teeth in the "art of leadership" before actually pinning on our butter bars. At VMI, I had a handful of fantastic Marine Corps mentors, including (then) Gunnery Sgt John Canellas, the most influential of our mentors, as well as (then) 1stLt Kurt Overmohl and Major Steve Grass. I still see Retired MGySgt Canellas from time to time when I visit Lexington - and he's still the same hard charging Marine we all respected as our "first SNCO" to this day!
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
I spent a little over 5 years on active duty and the following 22 yrs assigned to a variety of reserve units. During my 27 year career, I participated in a number of floats and operations, including combat tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and a NEO in Liberia. Of course, I
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| Christmas Morning, Dec 2011 above the DEA compound in Kabul, Afghanistan with DEA |
also enjoyed my share of our random training evolution's such as CAX, Mountain Warfare School, and 2 "cold war" med-floats with both the 22 and 26 MEU. Although all were memorable in various ways, I'd have to say my last tour in Afghanistan was my favorite deployment. In civilian life, I spent over 20 years as a criminal investigator/Special Agent with a couple of different federal agencies. Thanks to my background, I was handpicked to deploy as the II MEF (Fwd) Liaison Officer to the DEA in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2011/2012. What a fantastic opportunity to deploy as a Marine, yet also live among fellow civilian law enforcement officers in combat zone. These were guys with whom I could talk the talk and walk the walk. As a Special Agent in real life, my civilian career gave me instant credibility with the DEA agents I was embedded with and simultaneously allowed me to provide more valued input into ongoing counter narcotics operations being planned in Helmand Province by non-law enforcement Marine staff officers at the Camp Leatherneck C3 shop. Helping coordinating successful morphine lab raids to be conducted during routine military patrols and COIN ops was a great way to combine my military/civilian experience. On a side note, I never knew Kabul would be as cold as it was - many whiteout snowstorms and cold days. Flying back and forth from Kabul, in a winter environment to the warmer desert in Helmand aboard the DEA's King Air on a routine basis was always exciting.
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Throughout my active and reserve career, I was always an east coast Marine. Be it Camp Lejeune, Henderson Hall, or an east coast reserve unit, I never experienced what it was like to be a Hollywood Marine. My fondest memories have to be my time as a young Lieutenant with
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| The VIP Room at a Ramadi COP with Ollie North's tile signature |
my troops in BLT 3/8. That's where the rubber met the road, actually serving in my first leadership billet and having young Marines the same age as me transitioning from calling me "the" Lieutenant to "my" Lieutenant. I loved those guys, each and every one of them. Whether it was sleeping as a platoon in a GP large at CAX, Bridgeport, or LZ Eagle at Lejeune; sharing C-huts at Camp DeCanjeurs, France; or spending 15 months together on the USS Whidbey Island, I never became closer to a group of men than I did with the Marines of the 3/8 Motor Pool. My success was the direct result of having several incredible NCO's and 2 of the Corps best SNCO's I could ever have asked for. Thanks to SSgt Dennis Pernatozzi and SSgt Bob Ceklosky, both of whom promoted and retired, for guiding me and teaching me about true leadership. I'll never forget you guys.
Anyone who has promoted to Major will agree that 0-4 is the worst rank in the Corps as an officer. It's entry level field grade with all the responsibility of staff work, yet none of the leadership opportunities you get at 0-3 or 0-5. It's a pretty miserable rank. Regardless, everyone suffers through it and after pinning on 0-5, life got much better.
I was incredibly fortunate to pick up my most unique assignment during my career shortly after pinning on LtCol - In 2005, I deployed to Iraq with II MEF (Fwd) as the Marine Corps Historian. I'd never heard of the billet before, and only 1 is deployed at a time per war zone. If you've ever read the Corps publication FORTITUDINE, or the Marine Corps historical chronologies, many of those articles were written by former USMC Historians. Initially, I presumed the job was to polish museum cannon balls and write books, but I was so mistaken. From Camp Fallujah, I begged, borrowed and stole rides and flights across the entire AO to record oral histories of Marines prior to,  during and following combat operations. I met and interviewed Marines from PFC to General. Those oral histories, all recorded and summarily typed in synopsis format, along with the photographs and bio's of each Marine are on file at the Grey Research Center for study and future reference. During my tour, I recorded over 230 oral histories from warriors and support staff all across the Al Anbar Province. I embedded with troops from various units at combat outposts and FOB's, returning to Camp Fallujah only long enough to archive my data, do some laundry and decide where my next flight was going to take me. What made it truly unique is that I was a one man show and completely in charge of where I traveled, who I interviewed, and what I collected. My only guidance was to make sure the data and interviews I collected were historically significant. Along the way, I gathered many unique artifacts for the Museum of the Marine Corps, all of which permanently reside in the curator's collection in Quantico.
Per History Division requirements, all deployed historians maintained a journal, the majority of which I blogged at vmicraig.blogspot.com during 2005/2006. Several of the stories were later published in Leatherneck Magazine and the Marine Corps Gazette. It was a great tour, though very lonely, as I was truly alone and at the mercy of each unit which whom I embedded.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
We all have memorable sea stories and experiences from our days in the Corps, but to single out one particular moment that impacted me most is an almost impossible task. However, being able to record oral histories from Marines who were later killed in combat was certainly emotionally impacting. One
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| In port in Spain with my VMI boys - including future BG's Dave Furness and Chip Bierman, VMI '87 |
of those Marines I interviewed was LCpl Matthew Connelly, a 3/7 Marine whom I interviewed in Ramadi when I was embedded with the Battalion. A few years after his death, I was able to locate his mother and provided her with a CD copy of Matthew's oral interview. During the hard days that every parent of a deceased child experiences, she will still be able to hear Matthew speak and listen to him talk about his love for his family and his devotion to the Corps. It's something that most parents will never have.
I would simply say that being a Marine in a combat zone, at the tip of the spear, doing what Marines train for their entire career, was the most rewarding military experience of my adult life. I truly miss wearing the uniform and being identified as a Marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine.
WHAT ACHIEVEMENT(S) ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
In 1990/1991, BLT 3/8 conducted a NEO in Liberia and sat off the Liberian coast for 120+ days evacuating civilians and embassy staff to Sierra Leone. It was an action that was repeated a half dozen times by the Marine Corps over the next decade. During that time, the more
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| CMAGTF Sharp Edge |
"significant" military operation going on was Desert Shield, as forces continued to build up in preparation for the Persian Gulf War. Stationed aboard the USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41), our ship and the USS Barnstable County (LST) split from the rest of the 26MEU to conduct NEO evacuations while the rest of the ARG sailed into the Med and trained as normal. As the sole MEU logistician officer on station, I was assigned as the CMAGTF S-4 and spent the next 120 days coordinating logistics for the NEO. Following our service, we were awarded a Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, an award very few Marines have the privilege of wearing. While you find GWOT and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals on the uniforms of most Marines today, very few sport a MCEM, which was one of the few awards I truly believe I earned as opposed to receiving for being at the right place at the right time.
Also notable is my Shellback certificate that proudly hangs on my wall. All you wogs out there - beware! King Neptune is watching you.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR ANY OTHER MEMORABILIA, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH ARE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
In 1991, I was assigned to HQBN, Henderson Hall, HQMC. Talk about a different world from the fleet where I'd previously been assigned. At Henderson Hall, we supported Marines at the Navy Annex and the Pentagon. We were privileged to support a lot of high profile events throughout the Naval
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| General Gray's John Hancock |
District of Washington and got invited to events most Marines never have the opportunity to see or do. In '91, I was invited as a special guest to attend the British Marine Corps birthday ball at the British Embassy. It wasn't until I got there that I realized it was also attended by the SECNAV, CMC, ACMC and SgtMaj or the Marine Corps, among others. I think I was the only Marine below the rank of full Colonel at the ball. Fortunately, a British Color Sgt. found me drinking alone in the corner and pulled me aside, asking why I was there being so junior in rank. I told him I was invited by the embassy secretary, a hot little 20-something whom I'd met a few weeks prior on an admin run. The Color Sgt immediately pulled me aside to a different room where a bunch of Royal Marines were gathered drinking beer. He said "anyone who knows ___(I can't even recall her name) is welcome to drink here among real Marines." It was a great evening.
We regularly attended civilian and military events, including the various military expositions in DC. At one exposition, I ran across then Commandant General Al Gray. Gen Gray used to sneak into my office at Henderson Hall on occasion, punch me in the arm when I'd call the room to attention and tell me "Fuck off, Lt. I'm here to see your Marines." It was always the same thing every time he snuck in, and that was his way of saying hello. Anyway, I saw the General at an exposition display one day and asked for his signature on one of the swag pics I'd taken from a vendor. General Gray quickly obliged and penned his autograph, then proceeded to follow us the rest of the day. We had a helluva hard time losing him. That signature from the Commandant is still a favorite memento of mine.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
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| SSgt's |
My first two SNCO's, SSgt's Bob Ceklosky and Dennis Pernatozzi, had the most positive impact on me at an age where I was still developing my leadership style and learning the ropes of being an officer. Ski and P not only kept me out of trouble, they both took shots that should have been directed at me on many occasions. Everyone knows that you are only as successful as your SNCO's. Without the those 2 guys showing me the ropes and pulling me aside from time to time to let me know when I was stepping outside my bounds, I'd have failed as an officer.
PLEASE RECOUNT THE NAMES OF FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATION, AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
I've served with many Marines of distinction, as well as with some who were not so distinguished. Regardless, a few who stick out to me include my old 3/8 Battalion CO, then-LtCol Rusty Blackman (retired Major General); Retired Col. Ken "meat eater" Desimone, my friend, mentor and reserve buddy; Lt's
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| Standing duty with Cpl. Trader in Haifa, Israel |
Adam List and Robo Reece; former Lt Mark Campari; Combat Artist CWO3 Mike Fay; and Ret. Gunny Tony Zamudio, my buddy and "Op Dragon Warrior" partner; Col Mike Breneman, one of the nicest Seniors I ever worked with; LtCol Scott Prouse,a funny bastard who works at MCB Albany; Maj. Bill Cook, my twin Jerky brother at 4th FSSG. All are great guys, great Marines.
One Marine I truly miss is Cpl Orlen Dickie Trader, a 3/8 Communications Platoon Marine who was killed in a tragic duck hunting accident years back. Cpl Trader spent many a day with me standing duty on the quarterdeck of the Whidbey and was always a NCO in whom I could place my trust and who ensured the job got done timely and efficiently. RIP brother.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
During pre-deployment Blue/Green water workups in '88, we anchored off Vieques, Puerto Rico and enjoyed a night of liberty before steaming back out to sea. As you know, the Navy commends certain highjinks, unlike the Corps that often looks down upon the same conduct. My good friend and compadre, 1stLt
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| Breaking Bread with brother Adam List in combat town, somewhere on Sardinia |
Adam List, had hit the club with me one night and had one too many cervezas that evening. On our way back to the boat launch, Adam thought it would be a good idea to swim back to the ship instead of taking the Captain's gig. He and a buddy Navy Lt(jg) stripped off their clothes, tossed them to me and proceeded to run full speed to the end of the pier and dive off, swimming in warm, shark infested water toward the ship. None of us could believe our eyes, especially since Adam was a mild mannered staff puke (the maintenance management officer nonetheless) and was nothing like the typical 0302 you find in the grunts. When they got to the brow, the simply climbed up the ladder in their skivvies with ID cards in their teeth, surprised the OOD and asked permission to board. They scared the hell out of the watch! Later that week, the Lt(jg) was lauded by the ship's CO for being such a prankster, whereas Adam ended up getting a double signer fit rep, basically ending his future career. It was sad what happened to him, but still one of the ballsiest things I've ever witnessed.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
Following my active duty tour, I decided to stick with the government and took a job as a Special Agent with the Immigration Service (INS) in Atlanta. A badge AND a gun? Hell, yeah! After 5 years of chasing foreign nationals with INS, however, I got tired of the routine and laterally transferred to NCIS to work actual criminal stuff. I spent the next 10 years conducting felony investigations for the Dept. of the Navy and Marine Corps in some great locales with my wife, a fellow NCIS agent. We've been stationed in Kings Bay, GA; Washington DC; Honolulu, HI; VA Beach, Richmond, VA and are now in Mobile, AL thanks to her recent PCS. NCIS was a great job and sent me all over the world, including a tour in Iraq in 2005/2006 as a member of a 9 man PSO team. Most memorably, however, was our service as first responders to the Pentagon following the 9/11 attack. For 5 weeks following Sept 11, we dug out classified information, personal effects, body parts, window tinting and aircraft parts from the debris. Although it was a horrible incident, it was also the crime scene of a lifetime for an agent.
In 1997, I accepted a third lateral transfer as Special Agent with the Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) and after investigating mail theft for the next 8 years, retired in 2014. I'm currently a stay at home dad to my adopted son.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
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| Representing Post 354 at the Marine Corps Memorial, 2014 |
VFW
American Legion
MOAA
Marine Corps League
If you aren't a member, join. Join one, or join all. Participate. Not just for the camaraderie, but to keep the spirit of our military alive and to help those who have served and who still continue to serve.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
As we used to say at VMI, my life is a 3 legged stool. I am a VMI man first, a Marine second, and a Lawman third. Much like "God, Country, Corps" is the mantra to which Marines devote themselves, my mantra is based on my life in the Corps, as well as my experiences at VMI and throughout a career in law enforcement. Through them, I've gained purpose, honor, faith, trust, patriotism, and hope. I've learned to do what is right and to ask nothing more of someone than I would do my self. Despite no longer being a part of the Corps, the Corps will always be a part of me.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
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| SPIE rig line tug-o-war somewhere in Spain |
Learn from your mistakes. Do your best and suck it up when times get tough. Every Marine before you has had bad days. It's part of your heritage and part of the ethos that makes us special. "When it ain't raining, we ain't training." Life always gets better after things go wrong. Maybe not quickly, but it will.
Enjoy the good times. You will forget the bad times soon enough, but you will pine for the good old days when you leave the Corps. Get involved and be a leader to your junior Marines. be a part of the team. They need you and you need them. Neither can do the job without the other.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
TWS is a great source of info on fellow Marines both past and present. The forums are a great way to keep informed on the happenings of our Corps and to reconnect with your past.
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TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
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