MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, San Diego -- The depot’s mascot, Belleau Wood, was promoted to the rank of corporal, Jan. 6, by Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region’s commanding general.
Sgt. Maj. Sylvester D. Daniels, MCRD San Deigo and the WRR’s sergeant major, also attended the ceremony. Promoting the mascot, an English bulldog, may only happen a few times in a dog’s tour of duty, but the event can be even more uncommon for the promoter.
“As you get older, you think you have seen everything,” said Yoo in reference to his first time promoting a dog. Daniels has a different take on this rare opportunity. “This is the second mascot I have promoted in the Marine Corps,” said Daniels.
“It’s an honor because they are more than dogs, they are Marines.” Belleau has been representing the depot since November 2009 after completing recruit training with Alpha Company, and now has new expectations coming her way. “She needs to work on her discipline and stop ‘mooning’ the crowd,” said Daniels.
“If she keeps saluting the general and doing her job, then she’s good with me.” She is one of three mascots currently serving in the Corps, but comes from a long lineage of prior mascots.
The depot’s first mascot, James Jolly Plum Duff, made it all the way to the rank of staff sergeant. Living up to the term “devil dog,” Belleau uses her time wisely attracting the attention of thousands every month.
Belleau’s official duties include greeting families and friends at the motivational run, wandering around on Family Day, making a presence at graduation ceremonies, assisting with VIP tours and various area recruiting events.
“Now that she is an NCO, I expect her to set a good example for K-9s throughout the Corps,” said Col. Wayne Sinclair, commanding officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion. “She’s literally on parade before thousands of people every week.”
When the time comes for retirement, Belleau Wood will be dedicated to inspiring her replacement to set the highest standards possible. Until then, she will never forget that she is responsible to her commanding officer for the morale, discipline and efficiency of other Marines.
“You have great potential Belleau. Follow orders, win over the crowd every chance you get, and I’ll see you wearing sergeant chevrons before I leave command,” said Sinclair.