Former Roswell Resident Shares Life in Marines

Being a U.S. Marine means everything to Roswell’s own Lance Cpl. Robert McCord.

McCord, who is stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, is thrilled to be finding new challenges in his work saving lives. He shares a little of what his work is like in an interview sent to Roswell Patch by the military’s Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System.

Q: What’s your job?

A: I operate the hoses on the P-19 aircraft rescue firefighting vehicle. It is my job to suit up and put out the fires if an aircraft aboard the air station goes down.

Q: What’s your favorite aspect of your job?

A: My favorite part of my job is the risky situations we have to go through to rescue another person’s life.

Q: What’s the most challenging part?

A: The hardest part of the job is knowing everything about the aircraft on the air station.

Q: How does your job support the mission of 2nd MAW [Marine Aircraft Wing] and MCAS [Marine Corps Air Station] Cherry Point?

A: We protect entire community in the unlikely event an aircraft crashes. We are also equipped to rescue the pilot in the downed aircraft.

Q: How does your job differ from garrison to the field?

A: It really doesn’t change from garrison to the field. We still need to be on alert ready to go at anytime we are needed.