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Col. William G. Swarens (Ret.) (right), shakes the hand of Lt. Gen. Henry P. Osman (Ret.) during Swarens’ retirement ceremony July 30 at the Clubs at Quantico. Swarens has overseen Marine Corps records since 1988 when, as an active-duty Marine, he managed the Marines’ records and Performance Evaluation System.

Photo by Ida Irby

Leatherneck, leader, legend, retires after 52 years

6 Aug 2015 | Ida Irby Marine Corps Base Quantico

The yellow footprints at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego catapulted the career of 74-years-old retired Col. William G. Swarens, who was honored in a retirement ceremony on July 30 at The Clubs at Quantico. Fifty-two years of service to the Marine Corps was celebrated as he ended his career.

Swarens retired as an active duty colonel, and then worked 27 years as a government employee.

“When I think of Swarens I think of that classic statement ‘Stay Marine’, in a time where the Marine Corps runs a huge recruitment and retention, that’s exactly what Swarens has done for over 50 years,” said Maj. Gen. Craig Q. Timberlake, director of the Manpower Management Division.

Although he was poised to join the Marines, Swarens attended Eastern Illinois University, where he majored in Math and minored in Physics, and following college he began his enlistment. When he completed his recruit training in 1963, he was appointment as an Aviation Cadet at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla.

“In 1967, my father served 13 months on his first tour in Vietnam, followed by a second tour in 1971,” said Laura McGlamery, Swarens’ daughter, as she shared her father’s military history. After a second tour in Vietnam, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, earning a master’s degree in Financial and Personnel Management.

Swarens later served with the 1st Air/Naval Gunfire Liaison Co. in Hawaii, prompting him to attended The Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, alongside 50 Soldiers and 10 Marines. He completed five successful jumps to earn his silver jump wings and the class leadership award, which he presented to his late wife Peggy Swarens who birthed his first child while he was away on training.

At all times Swarens worked to give back to each family in his life: the family he was born into, the family he was sworn into, and the family that was born unto him. As an officer he worked on systems that would make life better for all Marines.

Lt. Gen. Henry P. Osman (Ret.) shared a personal story from Swarens’ past, where a leader commented on Swarens’ annual evaluation, “If I was stuck in a hot landing zone and I can pick one pilot to get me out it would be [Swarens],’ the assessment read. Throughout his career, Swarens has been the kind of person one could count on for really tough jobs.”

As a civilian, Swarens’ efforts enhanced the way military personnel files are processed today.

“While Swarens was watching what was happening with records, we could see it going to a paper files systems to what we know as microfiche, to micro scanners to digital scanners,“ said Osman. “He has touched so many things from our promotion, board functionality, and paid personnel system.”

The community that knew all the roles filled by Swarens came together to ensure that his many influences were honored.

“There are literally thousands of Marines whose past, today, and in the future will be positively affected by his contributions” from his days as a helicopter pilot to the efficient systems that are used today to maintain, correct and digitize records throughout the Marine Corps, mentioned Osman.

“[Even after retirement], my father’s life will continue to be full and he will find more ways to demonstrate his leadership, generosity, and love for his country,” said McGlamery.

For more information Swarens’ vast and noteworthy career, see the “The Corps’ Record Keeper,” written by Mary D. Karcher in the May 2015 issue of Leatherneck Magazine.

— Writer: iirby@quanticosentryonline.com
Marine Corps Base Quantico