[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 164 (Wednesday, November 12, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14801-S14802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     GUNNERY SERGEANT THOMAS S. HOGDAHL, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

 Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, as a veteran marine and friend, I 
rise today to pay tribute to Gy Sgt Thomas S. Hogdahl, who will retire 
from the U.S. Marine Corps on March 1, 2004. I have had the pleasure to 
work with Hogdahl on many occasions. In addition to his professionalism 
and planning expertise he will be missed for his intensity, integrity, 
and unique sense of humor. But mostly he will be missed for his 
dedication to the Members and staff of the Senate.
  Thomas Hogdahl was born in Teaneck, and was raised in Bergenfield NJ. 
There he played basketball and soccer and graduated from Bergenfield 
High School in 1983. In 1984 he enlisted in the Marine Corps, and 
subsequently reported to Parris Island, SC, to take on the challenge of 
becoming a US marine.
  Upon earning the title of marine, Gunnery Sergeant Hogdahl completed 
his followon training at Camp Lejeune, NC, where he received formal 
training as a Marine Corps Administrator, graduating as the honor 
graduate. He was then ordered cross-country to Camp Pendleton, CA, to 
serve as an administrative clerk to the hundreds of marines assigned to 
the historic 1st Marine Division. From 1986 to 1994, his service would 
take him to Okinawa, Japan, with the 3rd Marine Amphibious Force; 
Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA, with Security Battalion, and eventually 
to Dover, NJ, with the inspector and instructor staff for the 25th 
Marines, 4th Marine Division.
  In 1994, Gunnery Sergeant Hogdahl was selected for one of the most 
demanding billets in the Marine Corps, a Marine Corps Drill instructor 
(DI). I, as well as every person who has worn the Eagle, Globe, and 
Anchor will remember their drill instructor for the rest of their 
lives. He is the one person who has the greatest impact in transforming 
trainees into U.S. marines. After graduating in the top 10 percent of 
his DI School, Gunnery Sergeant Hogdahl returned to the legendary 
yellow footprints where he started his journey 10 years before, only 
this time it would be in Recruit Depot San Diego, and this time he 
would be wearing the traditional ``Smokey'' cover of a drill 
instructor. For the next 2 years his leadership and example would 
transform hundreds of young men into U.S. marines.
  In 1996, after leaving the drill field, Gunnery Sergeant Hogdahl 
attended the Advanced Personnel Admin Chief's Course, graduating again 
as the honor graduate. Thereafter he reported for duty at Marine Corps 
Base Quantico, VA, where he served as Administration Chief for 
headquarters and Service Battalion. Just over a year later Gunnery 
Sergeant Hogdahl was selected to attend the Staff Non-Commissioned 
Officer Career Course, from which he graduated in the top 10 percent 
amongst his

[[Page S14802]]

fellow senior marines. Following school, Gunnery Sergeant Hogdahl was 
handpicked to fill a senior SNCO position as administrative assistant 
in the Office of the Under Secretary of the Navy. Based on his 
exemplary performance over the next year and a half, Gunnery Sergeant 
Hogdahl was once again selected for another position of great 
responsibility--the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer for the Marine 
Corps' U.S. Senate Liaison Office.

  In May 1999, Gunnery Sergeant Hogdahl began his tour with the Marine 
Corps' Senate Liaison Office, and since that time, he has been a key 
player in helping to maintain positive and productive relationships 
between the Marine Corps, my colleagues in the Senate, professional 
committee staff, and personal staff. He was responsible for responding 
to thousands of congressional inquiries ranging from such sensitive 
issues as notification of combat casualties during Operations Enduring 
Freedom and Iraqi Freedom to providing important, timely information on 
the operation and organization of the Marine Corps. Through his 
efforts, Gunnery Sergeant Hogdahl developed a sterling reputation for 
honesty, punctuality, and accuracy. His efforts not only communicated 
the Commandant's message to the Senate, but also upheld and added to 
the Marine Corps' image and reputation on Capitol Hill.
  While a member of the Marine Corps Senate Liaison Office, Gunnery 
Sergeant Hogdahl successfully planned and executed 28 international 
congressional delegations. I had the pleasure of traveling on three of 
these congressional delegations with Gunnery Sergeant Hogdahl, and was 
greatly impressed with his professionalism, attention to detail, and 
resourcefulness. His acumen for planning and coordination carried over 
into Gunnery Sergeant Hogdahl's ability to plan and organize numerous 
Marine Corps and Joint Service social events on Capitol Hill. These 
events included among others, the Marine Corps Birthday Commemoration, 
Joint Services Reception, and Marine Corps fall and spring receptions--
all very important in enabling myself, and my Senate colleagues to 
maintain important relationships with the Corps' senior leadership.
  Throughout his career as a U.S. marine, GySgt Thomas S. Hogdahl has 
demonstrated outstanding character, discerning judgment, and a deep 
sense of duty to his Country and Corps. On behalf of the U.S. Senate, I 
thank Gunnery Sergeant Hogdahl for his 21 years of service to the 
Nation and the U.S. Marine Corps. His wife Barbara, and their three 
sons--Thomas, Stephen, and Brandon--have reason to be proud of 
``Gunny'' Hogdahl as we are here in the U.S. Senate and I wish them all 
the best as Tom tackles new challenges in his certain to be successful 
civilian career.

                          ____________________