“I have no regrets, none whatsoever”

His dark brown eyes, set in a frame of light bronze skin, peered down to his lapel, guiding a pair of weathered hands which were adjusting the Master Sergeant rank above a nametape which read: Forbes.

He looked up, entering into the office of Col. David Maxwell, commanding officer of Marine Corps Base Quantico on July 3, 2013, ready to do it again. Coming to attention, almost 25 years of Marine Corps experience triggered muscle memory, locking his right arm perfectly erect as “…I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States…” crossed his lips.

“I re-enlisted because I still love the job,” said Forbes. “I love being a Marine.”

Since 1988, Master Sgt. Anthony P. Forbes, a Saigon, Vietnam native, has served the Corps he loves, in various places and in diverse ways.

“I’ve been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Djibouti,” said Forbes. “I’ve also served in Okinawa and Iwakuni, Japan, the Pentagon and several continental bases.”

Although Forbes has gained U.S. citizenship, served around the world, been a rescue swimmer and been with both the air and ground sides of the Corps, he doesn’t consider any of those things to be his biggest Marine Corps achievement.

“My biggest success has been mentoring younger Marines,” said Forbes. “I had a mentor, Master Gunnery Sgt. Chuck Creswell. His integrity and character has had a big influence on me.”

Forbes didn’t only learn from his mentor’s influence, but successfully passed it on to Marines in his command.

“He was a father figure to me when I first joined the fleet,” said Lance Cpl. Joseph Ridley, motor vehicle operator, Base Motor Transportation. “He helped in many ways including getting through a long-distance relationship, showing me ways to open up and ask questions and giving me pointers to make better decisions. He makes himself available as a life coach to all who will listen.”

Character and integrity are important qualities to Forbes and may be part of the reason he has been married for 23 years, has 4 children and 1 grandchild.

“Communication is the secret to marriage,” said Forbes. “Your integrity defines your character.”

Those qualities are not only believed by Forbes, but exemplified as well.

 Forbes has always shown those character qualities, said Bruno Macedo, former Marine who served with Forbes.

 “He has always looked out for his Marines,” said Forbes. “You could tell that he really cared. I will always think highly of him for that.”

The master sergeant has a consistent legacy stretched over his enlisted years, proven by the attitudes and opinions gathered from Marines he’s served with in the past and present.

“He tries to make sure that his Marines are well taken care of,” said Sgt. Erik Macedo, base commander’s driver, Marine Corps Base Quantico. “It doesn’t matter when or where, you can call him and he won’t ignore you.”

Forbes summarized his career in a simple way.

“I have no regrets, none whatsoever,” said the avid golfer and fisherman. “I wake up every morning loving what I do.”

Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil