Marine Corps Base Quantico -- Like many Americans looking to challenge themselves, a young Sgt. Maj. Mark Byrd Sr. left home on a routine trip for eggs. He stopped at a Marine Corps recruiting office where he pleaded with a recruiter to send him on the next bus leaving Pontiac, Michigan.

To his surprise, that night the recruiter called asking, “Are your ready to go?”

Despite the short notice, in 1985 Byrd climbed aboard a bus and went on to serve his country for 30 years. He was retired from his military service during a retirement ceremony at Little Hall, Friday.

Gen. John M. Paxton Jr., assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, acted as the retirement official during the ceremony.

“This infantryman was indispensible to the success, the livelihood and the sustainment of our country,” said Paxton as he spoke of the one-third of Byrd’s career which he served in infantry units. “He is a role model, a teacher and a mentor from sergeant through sergeant major.”

Instructing Marines at Camp Geiger, a satellite base of Marine Corps Base Camp in Lejeune, N.C., gave the young sergeant an opportunity to show his potential as a leader of Marines. During that tour he earned the rank of staff sergeant.

Byrd stood out above his peers and was awarded Drill Instructor of the Year in 1998, while serving at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego as a young Staff Sergeant. He would go on to be promoted to gunnery sergeant before leaving the drill field.

“Being a drill instructor was one of the most pivotal points in my career, because I was able to see the impact I was making in the lives of young Marines,” said Byrd as he described the nine cycles he served at MCRD. “There is a lot of trust and confidence placed in the job you do on the drill field. It is hard work, but the reward is to see the 13-week transformation that has a lifelong effect.”

Byrd always made time for his family, even through the demanding days in San Diego. In doing so, he was able to act as a football and wrestling coach for his two sons. His commitment for his family and country never wavered.

According to Byrd, his most difficult duty served was as a Casualty Assistant Officer from 2005 to 2008.

“There was a family in Pike County, Pennsylvania who seemed to know immediately what happened after being awaken from a knock on the door [where Byrd informed the family of their fallen Marine]. Understanding his duties, days later there are pictures of Byrd providing immediate comfort to the family,” said Paxton who tells of the photos depicting Byrd sharing tears and hugs with a family who lost their Marine.

It often takes time for a family to adjust to loss, and with each family there are different emotions. In order to establish a proper burial and closure, a Marine must be particular.

“It takes a special leader to train Marines, to fight with Marines, to loose a Marine and then go back and console the families of lost Marines; he is the full package,” said Paxton. “No one doubts his credentials, his heart and his capability, as he stayed at the front of the line and the top of the heap.”

Service to his country was both on American soil and abroad. Serving in support of Unit Deployment Plan and Force and Readiness in Okinawa to Operation Iraqi Freedom II, Byrd distinguished himself as a combat leader through seven deployments. Byrd also served with the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 40, Marine Expeditionary Brigade from 2008-2011 where he deployed twice to Operation Enduring Freedom.

“Each deployment was an opportunity to see new places, meet new people, and share the gospel of Christ,” said Byrd, who saw the familiar face of his son Senior Airman Mark Byrd Jr., an airframes mechanic in the 451st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, in 2009 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

The father and son both provided essential combat support during OEF, one as an aircraft mechanic and the other as a senior advisor to operational helicopter missions. Byrd Sr. led a group of Marines whose success directly affected the Special Forces, Army, British troops and infantry Marines.

Byrd spoke of the family he was born into, the Marine Corps family he was sworn into and the family that was born unto him and his wife Tova L. Byrd.

“It’s been 26 great years in marriage, and I appreciate my family for their support [which allowed me to serve my country here and aboard.] They haven’t been there to see all of the promotions and awards, but I hope they are proud of me,” said Byrd.

Byrd served as the senior enlisted advisor for the Manpower Management Support Branch when arriving here in 2011. Finally from December 2013 till July 2015, Byrd’s last position held here as the Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Base Quantico. He provided council for the senior installation commander in regards to more than 20,000 servicemembers, civilians, and their families.

“Marines don’t fail,” said Byrd. “I’ve always given 100 percent to my team, because no matter what the challenge is we make the right things happen and we win.”