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TF 51/5 Spotlight on Cpl. Colburn Hanson

4 Jun 2018 | Staff Sgt. Vitaliy Rusavskiy 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

For U.S. Marines conducting operations around the globe, the serviceability of small arms weapons is vital to the success of the mission. For Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5), Cpl. Colburn Hanson is the sole bearer of the responsibility for making sure command’s weapons are always ready and operational.

 As the region’s go-to crisis response headquarters, TF 51/5 could dispatch personnel in support of operations at any given time. Hanson maintains not only weapons in support of rapid response, but also a fleet of non-tactical vehicles.

“Most of my regular duties consist of making sure our unit weapons are serviceable and ready to respond to crises, as well as maintaining 16 vehicles for the command,” Hanson said. “Being a subject matter expert in your field is only part of the job; learning other jobs and responsibilities within the unit is what sets you apart as a Marine.”

Hanson joined the Marine Corps in 2015 out of Filion, Michigan, a northeast rural town of fewer than 1,000 people.

After graduating from boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, he attended the Small Arms Repairer Course in Fort Lee, Virginia, where he graduated at the top of his class. The instructors were so impressed with his ability to quickly learn and adapt that they entrusted him with teaching a .50-caliber machine gun class to his peers.

The level of trust and confidence in Hanson’s abilities has grown at TF 51/5.

 “Corporal Hanson possesses the ability to retain and apply knowledge, which is developing his critical thinking skills,” said Gunnery Sgt. Clement Benloss, company gunnery sergeant with Headquarters Company, TF 51/5. “Hanson's unlimited potential will take him the distance in our Corps,” Benloss added.

Hanson says he looks up to Benloss, a mentor who encourages him to think analytically, find solutions and stay one step ahead of the problem.

In his free time, Hanson focuses his efforts on improving his physical fitness.

“It was difficult in the beginning, knowing that I couldn’t lift as much weight as the average crowd in the gym,” said Hanson. “I stuck to the regiment and have been achieving my goals. As long as there is improvement, I will continue toward the next goal,” he added.

While Hanson is still exploring his long-term career options, his current focus is training for the Combat Fitness Test. The annual fitness test, used to complement the USMC Physical Fitness Test, is intended to keep Marines ready for the physical rigors of contemporary combat operations and is designed to simulate many of the tasks that a Marine in a combat zone should be able to perform.

For more information about Marines and Sailors of TF 51/5, visit our website www.TF515.marines.mil or subscribe to our DVIDS page https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/5MEB, contact TF 51/5 Navy Lt. Cmdr. Sandra Arnold at Sandra.arnold@me.usmc.mil, 973-1785-6965 or Marine Capt. Monica Witt at Monica.witt@me.usmc.mil.


5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade