1. 12 February 1992 – 30 June 2016
24 Years of Service
RETIREMENT CEREMONY
MASTER SERGEANT
ERNESTO A.
GILLING-STRICKLAND
April 14, 2016
United States Marine Corps
Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay

2. For twenty four years
This Marine has stood the watch
While some of us were in our bunks at night
This Marine stood the watch
While some of us were in school learning our trade
This Marine stood the watch
Yes.. even before some of us were born into this world
This Marine stood the watch
In those years when the storm clouds of war were seen
brewing on the horizon of history
This Marine stood the watch
Many times he would cast an eye ashore and see his
family standing there
Needing his guidance and help
Needing that hand to hold during those hard times
But he still stood the watch
He stood the watch for twenty four years
He stood the watch so that we, our families and
Our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly in safety,
Each and every night
Knowing that a Marine stood the watch
Today we are here to say
‘Marine... the watch stands relieved.
Relieved by those You have trained ,Guided, and Lead
Marine you stand relieved.. we have the watch..."
Sequence of Events
Narrator
LCpl H. E. Thomas
Arrival of Official Party
Chaplain’s Invocation
Lt S. Chapman
National Anthem
Retirement Orders
Presentation of Awards
Retiring Officer Remarks
Col S. C. Killeen
Retiree Remarks
MSgt E. A. Gilling-Strickland
Presentation of Lei
Anchors Away and Marines’ Hymn

3. he reported to MCRD San Diego, CA on 11 February 1992.
Upon completion of recruit training and School of Infantry,
his first assignment was as an ammo man (and later machine
gunner, team leader, squad leader, section leader and platoon
sergeant) with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd
Marine Division Kaneohe Bay, HI. During this tour, he was
deployed to the Island of Okinawa on three separate
deployments and participated in Operation Foal Eagle in
Towns Ville Australia. While at Fox Co 2/3, he was promoted
to Corporal.
In 1996, Master Sergeant Gilling-Strickland reported to
Chesapeake, VA. Where he attended the basic security guard
course. Upon graduation, he reported to MCSFCO Sabana
Seca Puerto Rico where he was assigned duties as Corporal
MASTER SERGEANT GILLING-
STRICKLAND
Master Sergeant Gilling-
Strickland is currently
assigned as the Marine Corps
Base Hawaii Base Career
Planner. Master Sergeant
Gilling-Strickland was born in
the Republic of Panama, on 26
September 1972. While
attending Kalamazoo Valley
Community College, he
enlisted in the Marine Corps
on 14 December 1991. After
completion of the fall semester

4. of the guard and Sergeant of the guard from November 1996
until October 1997. While at MCSFCO Sabana Seca, he was
promoted to Sergeant.
After MCSFCO, Master Sergeant Gilling-Strickland reported
to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine
Division 29 Palms CA where he served as the Weapons
platoon Machine Gun section leader, Weapons platoon
Sergeant and platoon commander from December 1997 to
November 2001. During this tour he was promoted to Staff
Sergeant.
In December 2001, Master Sergeant Gilling-Strickland
reported to Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCRD San
Diego where he was assigned as the Battalion Substance
Abuse Control Officer as well as many other collateral duties
until January 2006.
In November 2005, Master Sergeant Gilling-Strickland was
reclassified from the military occupational specialty of 0369
Infantry Platoon Leader to his current military occupational
specialty of 4821 Career Planner.
In January 2006, Master Sergeant Gilling-Strickland reported
to Recruiters School at MCRD San Diego for attendance to
the basic Career Planner’s course.
After the successful completion of the Career Planner’s
course, Master Sergeant Gilling-Strickland reported to 2nd
Supply Battalion 2nd Marine Logistic Group, and served as
the unit Career Planner from 14 April 2006 until 16 April
2008. During his assignment with 2nd Supply Battalion
Master Sergeant Gilling-Strickland was promoted to
Gunnery Sergeant and deployed with 2nd Supply Battalion –
Rein in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 18 August
2007 to 23 March 2008.
In April of 2008, Master Sergeant Gilling-Strickland reported
to Combat Logistics Regiment 25 2nd Marine Logistics
Group, Camp Lejeune NC where he was assigned as the
Regimental Career Planner and deployed with 2nd Supply
Battalion – Rein in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from
28 February 2009 to 26 September 2009. Following this
deployment, Master Sergeant Gilling-Strickland was
reassigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 27 where he
served as the assistant Group Career Planner for 2nd MLG.
Master Sergeant Gilling-Strickland was then transferred to
Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3D Marine Logistics Group
where he served as the Regimental Career Planner from 9
June 2010 until 16 March 2013. While assigned to Combat
logistics Regiment 37 MSgt Gilling-Strickland was selected
to his current rank and transferred to MCB Hawaii where he
now serves as the MCB Hawaii Career Planner SNCOIC.
Master Sergeant Gilling-Strickland’s personal decorations
include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
with gold star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine
Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third
award, National Defense Medal with one star in lieu of a
second award, Overseas Service Deployment Ribbon with
one silver star and four bronze stars in lieu of a tenth award,
meritorious unit commendation, Navy Unit Commendation,
Korean defense service medal, Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and Good Conduct
Medal with one silver star in lieu of a sixth award. Master
Sergeant Gilling-Strickland is married to Dinah C. Gilling-
Strickland.