Blount Island Command

U.S. Marines stormed ashore Feb. 28 to offload tactical vehicles and equipment from the USNS Dahl during an exercise at the Republic of Korea Marine Corps Base Pohang in South Korea. The in-stream offload from the containerized and rolling stock cargo ship, operated by Military Sealift Command, showcased the rapid deployment capabilities of maritime prepositioning force operations, which rely on pre-loaded ships that are forward-deployed and combat-ready. Highlighting the joint interoperability of Exercise Freedom Banner 25, Sailors with Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 13 maneuvered equipment from the holds of USNS Dahl onto an Improved Navy Lighterage System causeway ferry, a modular system that enables efficient ship-to-shore movement, even in areas without established port facilities. Beachmaster Unit 1 and Naval Beach Group 1 assisted with the movement of vehicles onto the shore. Freedom Banner 25, a key component of the larger Korean Marine Exchange Program 25.1, is designed to test and refine the complex logistical processes that enable the Marine Corps to respond to crises and contingencies around the globe. The exercise highlights the critical programs managed at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Jacksonville, Florida, the nerve center for the Marine Corps global prepositioning network.

With the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay on the slipway, U.S. Marines sequenced, weighed and labeled 7-ton trucks, bulldozers, tractors and Humvees Feb. 25 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. As part of crisis response packages, they were rolled onto the cargo ship and anchored into its holds. Ready for an afloat squadron, the vehicles will get strategically positioned to support Marines responding to contingencies. The Marine Corps' global prepositioning network serves as a beacon of assurance to allies and a deterrent to potential adversaries. Blount Island Command supports forward forces, ready to sustain a crisis response and, when necessary, combat operations.

U.S. Marines load motor transportation equipment onto the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay cargo ship Feb. 25 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. The equipment, including communications and engineering assets, will support humanitarian aid and disaster relief in the Indo-Pacific region. Marine logistics specialists and contractors spent three days loading the nearly 300-meter long ship. Blount Island Command supports fleet Marine forces with responsive and adaptive logistics, necessary to strategic posturing with tailored capabilities.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Sklenka, Marine Corps deputy commandant for installations and logistics, discussed prepositioning programs during a tour Feb. 21 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Blount Island is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs, which stage equipment and supplies for a Marine air-ground task force responding to a contingency. Located along the St. Johns River with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, Jacksonville-based service members, government civilians and contractors sustain afloat and ashore programs worldwide. Col. Luke Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command and the support facility, led the tour. Discussions focused on the Marine Corps' global network, including its flexibility and capability through likely scenarios of rapid deployment and assembly. Sklenka met with personnel on the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay cargo ship, then visited a maintenance facility. Prior to departing, he boarded a modular causeway ferry for a beach landing.

Blount Island Command is collecting resumes through Wednesday, Feb. 26, for an emergency management specialist (GS-0089-12), to serve at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island. This is a direct hire announcement in Jacksonville, Florida. Download the job opportunity flyer at https://lnkd.in/eVbJYWjC As an emergency management specialist, the hired applicant will serve as the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives protection officer, administering assigned program responsibilities in installation emergency management, including the management and administration of the installation emergency management plan and its associated processes, such as destructive weather planning, incident response and exercise planning, in support of Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island and the U.S. Marine Corps' maritime prepositioning force program. The officer will also oversee CBRNE protection, including the administration and management of first responders' personal protective equipment and installation detection equipment, to ensure comprehensive emergency preparedness and response.

Lt. Shawn Hall of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department received an unexpected commendation during a ceremony Feb. 13 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Jacksonville, Florida. U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command, presented a certificate of commendation to Hall, recognizing 15 years of collaboration. An intelligence liaison for the Duval County Emergency Preparedness Division, Hall worked alongside the Marine Corps facility's incident management team, emergency operations center and police department. Attending the ceremony to support Fred Rogers, who is retiring as installation emergency manager, Hall was surprised when, after three Marines were recognized for exemplary performance, the formation’s sergeant major called him forward. The son of a retired Navy officer and a former Navy Junior ROTC cadet, Hall marched past the Marines then stood at attention, facing their commanding officer. Standing upright, heels together, hands on his sides, the U.S. and Marine Corps flags waving behind them. “I was coming here to support you,” said Hall, approaching Rogers after the ceremony. “I wish I would have served in the military. I still serve, as a firefighter, but never serving in the military is a regret.” Rogers praised their partnership, calling it instrumental in the success of numerous exercises, drills and training events. He says it enhanced the installation emergency response program. This collaboration contributed to Blount Island earning a “noteworthy” evaluation in an April 2024 Marine Corps headquarters mission assurance assessment, a positive indicator of the installation's ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from threats. “Fred got me,” Hall said of the recognition. “We don’t do what we do to be recognized, but to be recognized like this is a huge honor.”

Blount Island Command is collecting resumes through Friday, Feb. 14, for a contract specialist (GS-1102-12) to serve at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island. This is a direct hire announcement in Jacksonville, Florida. Download the job opportunity flyer at https://lnkd.in/eVbJYWjC The contracting officer at Blount Island Command will manage a team of subject matter experts overseeing approximately $900 million in complex, high-value contracts over 10 years. This critical role supports the Marine Corps prepositioning program at various global locations, including Norway and the Philippines. Responsibilities include pre-award and contract administration functions for procuring specialized equipment and services, ensuring proper funding and approvals. The position requires resolving audit recommendations, analyzing procurement programs and developing standard operating procedures. This on-site position may involve CONUS and OCONUS travel and directly impacts the Marine Corps' combat readiness. The command is also collecting resumes this week for an equipment specialist (engineering) GS-1670-11 and emergency management specialist GS-0089-12.

Blount Island Command is collecting resumes through Friday, Feb. 14, for an emergency management specialist (GS-0089-12), to serve at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island. This is a direct hire announcement in Jacksonville, Florida. The command is also collecting resumes through Feb. 13 for an equipment specialist (engineering) GS-1670-11. Download the job opportunity flyers at https://lnkd.in/eVbJYWjC As an emergency management specialist, the hired applicant will serve as the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives protection officer, administering assigned program responsibilities in installation emergency management, including the management and administration of the installation emergency management plan and its associated processes, such as destructive weather planning, incident response and exercise planning, in support of Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island and the U.S. Marine Corps' maritime prepositioning force program. The officer will also oversee CBRNE protection, including the administration and management of first responders' personal protective equipment and installation detection equipment, to ensure comprehensive emergency preparedness and response.

JOIN OUR TEAM! Blount Island Command has a job opportunity on USA JOBS. See below for available positions. POSITION TITLE: MANAGEMENT AND PROGRAM ANALYST, GS-0343-11 OPEN DATE: 02/03/2025 CLOSE DATE: 02/10/2025 LOCATION: JACKSONVILLE, FL ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: DE-12677127-25-JRC TO VIEW THE FULL JOB OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT, PLEASE USE THE LINK: https://lnkd.in/eXsTs8cN https://lnkd.in/eVbJYWjC

JOIN OUR TEAM! Blount Island Command is hosting a VIRTUAL job fair. See the attached flyer for available positions. POSITION TITLE: EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST (ENGINEERING), GS-1670-11 OPEN DATE: 02/05/2025 CLOSE DATE: 02/12/2025 APPLICATION PROCESS: Submit your resume and any supporting documentation via e-mail to [email protected]. Please annotate the job title (EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST (ENGINEERING), GS-1670-11) in the subject line. Resumes must be received by 11:59 pm on 02/12/2025. https://lnkd.in/eVbJYWjC This is a DIRECT HIRE ANNOUNCEMENT. Section 1125 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 authorizes the Secretary of Defense to recruit and appoint qualified candidates directly to positions in the competitive service at any domestic Defense Industrial Base Facility or Major Range and Test Facilities Base. Competitive rating and ranking of applicants are not required under the Direct Hire process.