New Commanding Officer at Marine Corps Blount Island Command

On Friday, July 15, 2011, I had the opportunity to attend the Change of Command Ceremony at the U.S. Marine Corps Blount Island Command in Jacksonville, Florida. The new commanding officer is Colonel Christopher Michelsen, a Marine I have the honor of calling a lifelong friend. Col. Michelsen is a distinguished Marine who will take Blount Island to the next level in his tour of duty at the Command.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Blount Island Command, 100 Marines and about 900 civilian contractors do an amazing job moving the Marine Corps' east coast equipment and firepower into position in a short period of time. Following the ceremony last Friday, we we treated to a tour of the installation narrated by Master Gunnery Sgt. Duckworth, a Marine who clearly knows his stuff. He explained how Blount Island plans, coordinates and executes the logistics efforts in support of the Maritime Prepositioning Force program and the Marine Corps Prepositioning Program with a fleet of 15 ships. I never cease to be impressed by the commitment and performance of the men and women that serve our country in the armed forces.


I wish the best to Col. Michelsen as he embarks on his tour in charge of the Blount Island Command and hope for a successful mission for all of the Marines under his command.



Copyright (c) 2011 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Veterans service connected compensation or pension claim, call Florida VA Disability Attorney John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.