MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Marines, sailors, distinguished guests and loved ones of 7th Marine Regiment gathered at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field to wish fair winds and following seas to Sgt. Maj. Scott A. Samuels, former sergeant major, 7th Marines, during a relief and appointment ceremony, March 7, 2014.
Samuels retired after 28 years of honorable service in the Marine Corps. He assumed his post as the regimental sergeant major in May 2011.
“The only reason I’m here is because I surrounded myself with good people,” Samuels said. “All these seated here are the ones that challenged me. They never let me fail and never failed me.”
Upon formally relieving Samuels of his post, Col. Jay M. Bargeron, commanding officer, 7th Marine Regiment, awarded him with a Legion of Merit in recognition for his outstanding leadership and service during his time with the regiment.
“[Samuels] may be leaving active duty today, but because of his service and influence, he’ll still be around here for a long time.” Bargeron said.
Sgt. Maj. Rodney L. Lane, sergeant major, 7th Marine Regiment, was then appointed to his new post as Marines now under his guidance looked on.
“I am honored and privileged to be the regimental sergeant major,” Lane said. “[7th Marine Regiment’s] reputation speaks for itself.”
7th Marine Regiment was activated Aug. 14, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as an infantry regiment. The regiment last deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2012, returning in August 2013.