MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- A Marine Aircraft Group 13 staff sergeant received the station’s second meritorious gunnery sergeant promotion of the week April 4 on the basketball courts near MAG-13 headquarters here.
Gunnery Sgt. Curtis L. Belfield, MAG-13 electronic key management system manager, was the recipient of I Marine Expeditionary Force’s staff noncommissioned officer meritorious promotion and the third meritorious promotion of his career.
“I feel like everything I have done in the past has been worth it. All the long days, all the night shifts and just plain hard work have paid off,” said Belfield.
“(Belfield) is an exceptional Marine and a topnotch leader,” said Sgt. Maj. Phillip Coble, MAG-13 sergeant major. “He brings enthusiasm and commitment to everything he does.”
Coble said Belfield earned this promotion with his work throughout his Marine Corps career because the I MEF promotion board was looking for the “overall Marine.”
According to I MEF Order 1430.1B, exceptionally-qualified Marines are those who perform on and off duty and outside their job field.
Belfield is the only meritorious gunnery sergeant to be promoted by I MEF this year, said Coble.
Belfield competed against and beat thousands of Marines to earn his promotion, said Coble. He competed against Marines from 1st Marine Division, 1st Force Service Support Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I MEF Headquarters and Marine Expeditionary Units under I MEF command.
Coble said he was proud of Belfield, because gunnery sergeant is the last rank Marines can be promoted to meritoriously.
“(In the future), I can see him easily making first sergeant if he goes that route. I think that he will be able to reach sergeant major at his 20-year service mark if he continues striving to be the best,” stated Coble.
Some of Belfield’s awards and decorations include four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two certificates of commendation, two meritorious masts, and certification up to black belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
When asked what his future plans were, Belfield replied, “I want to make sure to train my Marines well no matter what happens. I am here to never give up on myself or my Marines, and I believe that is my edge -- never giving up.”
Belfield said he is compiling a warrant officer package because he is always striving to better himself and go as far as the Marine Corps will let him go.
Belfied said he wants to show his Marines the harder they push, the further they can go in the Marine Corps.
“In order to be an effective leader, you must never stop, never settle. You have to march at your own cadence and never give up,” said Belfield.