TMCnet News
From 'military brat' to 44 years of dedicated serviceFeb 01, 2013 (DEFENSE DEPARTMENT DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, NC From 'military brat' to 44 years of dedicated service CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The teenage military brat pumping gasoline at Camp Pendleton in the early 1960s had no inkling of retiring on the base - let alone twice. Michael G. Hire retired a first time as a lieutenant colonel after 24 years of Marine Corps service. His second retirement came at the El Camino Country Club in Oceanside, Calif., Jan. 26, after serving 20 years with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, where he recently served as director of the Camp Pendleton office. Hire started his career as one of the few - a United States Marine. He earned a bachelor's degree in radio and television broadcasting at San Diego State University before attending Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va., in 1968. As a second lieutenant, he served in Vietnam, and he went on to serve as executive officer for 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, here. He also served as an executive director for the relief society at Marine Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. His final assignment as a Marine officer was as an administrator where he served as the assistant chief of staff for manpower here. Hire leaned back in his chair and looked up while scratching his head. He said in addition to his previous experience, he remembered members of his family being volunteers for the society, which helped influence his decision to become the director, post Marine Corps. "Service to others is extremely important to me," said Hire with a proud expression on his face. "Whether it's serving the nation as an active-duty Marine or being the director of (the society), the mission of serving is the same. There is a need for excellence, and every Marine, sailor and spouse deserves excellent service." Hire retired from the Marine Corps after 24 years on a Friday, and assumed his position as a director with the society the following Monday in August, 1992. He was responsible for more than 4,900 clients. "For the past 20 (years), I got to do exactly what I wanted to do: continue to serve Marines, sailors and families," said the 67-year-old, about his time with the society. Hire's bright blue eyes lit up when he spoke about his future plans to jump on his motorcycle and visit friends and family across the country. Now that he will have more time, he plans on continuing some of his other hobbies which include attending renaissance fairs, country dancing, scuba diving and watching NCIS. Contact Lance Cpl. Trevon Peracca at [email protected] |