MCLB Barstow's Provost Marshal has something to share

9 Mar 2006 | Cpl. Jenna Cook Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

In December 1992, a new private first class came to MCLB Barstow for Marine on-the-job-training to learn how to be a supply warehouseman. Now, that private first class, is serving Barstow as an officer and the base Provost Marshal. Capt. Rodrigo Cantu began his career at MCLB Barstow and after 14 years, he is back.

The Texas native joined the Marine Corps two months after graduating high school and attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

After completing MOS school in April 1993, Cantu was stationed on Okinawa, Japan, for a year.

"I really enjoyed my time in Japan and tried to make the most of it. I had time to begin my off-duty education; I completed about 50 Marine Corps Institute courses, I became a pistol and rifle coach for the range and ran a few 5Ks and 10Ks."

While in Japan, Cantu was meritoriously promoted to the rank of corporal and achieved the highest proficiency and conduct markings a Marine can receive.

With his military career off to a successful start, Cantu was excited to change duty stations to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. While attached to 5th Battalion, 11th Marines, his company commander gave him some guidance that changed the direction of his career.

"The company commander brought in Marines who he thought were promising and talked to us about the officer programs," Cantu said.

Cantu put in his package to become an officer and in June 1995 he transferred to Newport, R.I., to attend the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training program.  

After completing the program, he became a full time student at the University of Oklahoma.

Between freshman and sophomore year, Cantu attended Officer Candidate School for six weeks. 

After completing his four years at the university, Cantu graduated with a degree in Criminology, a minor in Psychology and a minor in Native American studies. Upon graduation in May 2000, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and attended The Basic School for six months before being assigned to military police duty.

Cantu was stationed as the district officer in charge of the Provost Marshals Office at Camp Foster on Okinawa in 2001 and in 2002 he transferred to Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Next, he was sent to Thailand to be the officer in charge of the military police detachment during Operation Cobra Gold.

Experiences at these duty stations set the foundation for the kind of officer Cantu wanted to be.

"Early on, I learned that the actions I made as an officer had a much bigger affect than those of when I was an enlisted Marine.

"As a corporal, I had four Marines under me that I could influence. As a second lieutenant I had 67 Marines. And officers do influence their Marines, whether positive or negative, so I just made sure I made a positive impact."

During May 2004, 25th Infantry Division Commanding General, Army Maj. Gen. Eric Olson was looking for a Marine Aide-de-Camp to assist him while he served as the combatant commander of the Combined Joint Task Force 76 for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Five Marines' packages were submitted for the assignment and after review, Cantu was chosen.

During his tour as the general's aide, Cantu controlled the schedule of the general and was constantly by his side to provide security.

"Just being able to work so closely with him and gain the perspective of a general made it a valuable experience," he said.

But there were other events during his assignment that made the experience valuable.

"I got to see a culture make historic advancements and I felt proud to be a part of that," he said.

Cantu was at the polls during Afghanistan's milestone first presidential elections.

"Children in Afghanistan would beg for pens, pencils and paper. They come up to you and just beg for something to write with. Over there a pen is worth about two month's salary. To see a country go from that state to going to the polls to vote for their first president in their 5,000 year history was amazing."

In September 2005, Cantu transferred back to MCLB Barstow to take over the position of the Provost Marshal.

"The base is much different than it was before. When I was here for school there were over 1,000 Marines and only a few hundred civilians. Now it is the opposite," said Cantu.

The biggest challenge Cantu has faced since being in Barstow is the military to civilian police conversion. It is also his biggest accomplishment, he said.

"There are more challenges that I had anticipated. Basically, we are standing up a civilian police department so we have had the typical set backs you would have when standing up any company. But it has been a great learning experience."

After completing this tour at MCLB Barstow, the future is unclear for Cantu. All that is certain is that he has enjoyed his time in so far. 

"After almost 14 years, I have experienced a lot and grown from it. I planned on doing four years and getting out, but there were a few special Marines that touched my life early on in a way that made me want to aspire to do so much more.  It is because of those Marines that I stand here today as a leader, a mentor, a friend and an officer of Marines with an enlisted background."

More Media