Passing on the NCO sword: MCB Hawaii Sgt. Maj. says goodbye after final tour, 30 years of service

Marking the culmination of 30 years of service and his time on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sgt. Maj. James W. Sutton, outgoing base sergeant major, passed the Marine noncommissioned officer sword to incoming Sgt. Maj. Robert E. Eriksson in a post and relief and retirement ceremony at Dewey Square on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 8, 2011. "The opportunity to serve on active duty, for any Marine, is a finite amount of time, whether its four years or 30 years," Sutton said. "You take care of your Marines, accomplish the mission and do your job to the best of your ability through the opportunities you have. When it's time to step aside, you turn it over to your Marines and sailors with the faith and confidence that they'll continue in the fine traditions the Marine Corps has upheld for 235 years."