U.S.M.C.
U.S.M.C.Commander of the
On my second trip to the Martial Arts Center of Excellence, I met the new Commander of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, who had become my friend, via e-mail, allowed me to write some articles for my web site. They described the new program, it’s essence, the new building for the program, now called Raider Hall, and I wrote an article describing the events of the ceremony to the memory of the Marine Raiders of WW II. The President of the Marine Raider Association vocalized their tribulations, not just in preparing to become the toughest Commandos on earth, but also in the deaths and wounds they would suffer, landing behind enemy lines and proving their mettle by exposing the Japanese, no longer invincible, as they fall before the Raider’s attack.
This commander is Lt. Col. Joseph Shusko, a man among Marines, inherent leadership in every action. He is what every Officer of Marines should be, ethical, intuitive, innovative and a dynamo of energy, often finishing first in runs with his young Marine Instructors. While the main thrust of the program is teaching the students that pass through this course, to attain ever-higher belts and competence, so that as they spread throughout the far-flung stations of the Corps, they will teach hundreds of other Marines the skills that they have learned, there is another meaning to this course fostered by Lt. Col. Shusko. After each of these classes, the Colonel or one of his chief Instructors, taking the lead of their commander, will give the students talk about ethics, responsibility for their actions among their families, friends and strangers, enabling them to be the best of citizens, avoiding the temptation to make an improper choice, which might bring disgrace on the individual, as well as the Corps. They are motivated to give only the best that they have, to be honest with others and with themselves. It is a tough course, for tough people, who know how to endure. They take pride in the fact that they are the descendents of the Marine Raiders and it is obvious that they take pride in the Commander at Raider Hall, a unique and superior man amongst Marines. He will retire in 2006 and it will be the Corps loss. Men this good are hard to find. Our Devil Dog for the month of April 2005 is Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Shusko, my friend. I write this about this Officer, as a former Marine Corps Officer, myself.
Lieutenant Colonel Shusko is a 1977 graduate
of Rider University. He is also a graduate of the Marine Corps Amphibious
Warfare School and the Marine Corps Command and Staff College.
Commissioned in 1977 via the Platoon Leaders Class program, he completed The
Basic School and attended flight training at NAS Pensacola in 1978. Designated a
Naval Aviator in 1980, Lieutenant Colonel Shusko transferred to Marine Corps Air
Station, New River, NC to assume duties with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron
(HMM) 263. In addition to serving as a squadron pilot, he also performed duties
as the squadron’s Assistant Aviation Maintenance Officer. During this tour,
Lieutenant Colonel Shusko deployed twice to the Mediterranean and was involved
with peacekeeping operations in Beirut, Lebanon.
Following school in 1993, Lieutenant
Colonel Shusko was assigned to the staff at the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare
School. After his instructor duties, he was transferred to the Headquarters,
U.S. European Command where he worked as the Team Chief aboard the Airborne
Command Post (ABNCP) within the Operations Directorate. During this tour he also
served as a Liaison Officer with the United Nations Protection Forces and later
Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia.
Following this tour, Lieutenant Colonel Shusko was transferred to P&R Division
of Headquarters Marine Corps where he served as the Aviation Analysis Officer.
During 1999 he was selected to be the Executive Officer, The Basic School.
In April 2001, he assumed command of The Basic School.
His personal decorations include: the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; the
Meritorious Service Medal (Third Award); the Air Medal with Strike/Flight Number
1; the Navy Commendation and the Navy Achievement Medal. He is also authorized
to wear the Presidential Service Badge.