4/11/2013 -- CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Persevering toward achieving excellence is a common career goal for military members.
Dedicated. Intelligent. Passionate. These are a few words that describe Sgt. Christian A. Lang, a mobile multi-channel radio operator with Data Platoon, Communications Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group. He aims for perfection in each task he is given because he sees it as a way of life.
Lang was awarded the Herbert J. Littleton award, an award given for excellence in communications as a noncommissioned officer.
“Learning something new every day is just something I’ve strived for since I was a kid,” said Lang, a native of Chelsea, Ala. “It’s just a need, deep down inside me, to gain as much knowledge as possible.”
Although Lang’s military occupation is a radio operator, he has been working with Data Platoon since his first field training operation in 2009.
After fixing some of the main network equipment during Mojave Viper at Twentynine Palms, Calif., he was recommended by his chain of command to stay with Data Platoon and he has been there ever since.
“It’s about being able to see the bigger picture,” said the 25-year-old native of Chelsea, Ala. “Once I can understand each little piece by itself and know how it works, I can start to see how everything comes together.”
Once Lang starts something, he will finish it. No matter how long it takes or even if it’s not something in his job description.
“Sergeant Lang is a great teacher,” said Lance Cpl. Jacob Budvarson, a data network specialist with Data Plt., Comm. Co., CLR-17, 1st MLG. “He really takes the time to get to know us and teach us on the servers every chance he gets.”
It can be a task as simple as making a software program that makes the job of a logistics Marine easier or as complex as providing division specific software to over 1,900 devices allowing them to upgrade without losing or disrupting recorded data for mission readiness.
“I’ll create a program, it’s not in my job description, but I’ll do it because it will make someone’s job that much easier and once I figure out how to create that specific program, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment,” said Lang. “That’s what drives me.”
Although he just got back from a yearlong deployment, he insists on training junior Marines to his level of proficiency for future deployments.
“I’m here so that I can make a difference,” said Lang. “Basic military schools only teach them so much.”
Lang is a leader Marines can emulate. He was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal on his first deployment for working and improving the efficiency of five military occupational specialties. On his most recent deployment, he was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal for doing an excellent job filling a chief warrant officer data chief billet.
Lang contributes his success to years of dedication every day contributes to overall mission accomplishment.
“At the end of the day when I’ve completed a project, that feeling of achievement is great. It’s almost overwhelming,” said Lang. “That’s what it’s all about.”