Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point -- MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - After three decades of faithful service, Master Gunnery Sgt. Steven C. Post retired from the Marine Corps at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 8.
Post finished his career as the aviation maintenance chief with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2.
Post said he was honored and humbled to see his family, friends and co-workers in attendance during his retirement ceremony and thanked them for their support.
“I know it is what everyone says, but it was truly an honor and a privilege to have served with such a great group of individuals,” said Post.
Post enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 20 in December 1984 after two years of odd jobs after high school.
“It’s a kind of a funny story,” said Post. “My mother will never admit to it now, but when I was 20 she told me, ‘You need to do something like join the Marine Corps; that would be good for you,’ and the next day I enlisted.
“I don’t think there are many service members out there who could say that their mother is the reason for joining the military, especially not the Marines.”
During his career, Post served at many squadrons, including Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204, formally known as Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 204; Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165; Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365; and MWHS-2.
During his career, Post deployed several times, taking part in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm; aboard ship with several Marine expeditionary units; and with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) to Afghanistan in 2009.
“I enjoyed my time in the Marine Corps, and I know it sounds cliché, but the biggest part of the Corps that I’m going to miss is being around other Marines,” said Post.