Despite some light shower warnings, rain stayed completely away on a Sunday morning to remember for now-former Sergeant Carlos Bazan-Bergamino.
Before a crowd consisting of 30-40 family members, friends, fellow decorated Marines and his current crop of poolee recruits, the 27-year-old Hauppauge ’14 graduate was bestowed the honor of a new rank — Staff Sergeant — at the Armed Forces Plaza on Veterans Memorial Highway in his hometown on July 2.
This promotion was not one you could put in for, as the pair of decorated officers tasked with honoring Staff Sergeant Bazan-Bergamino would come to outline, but rather something that was earned based on excellence in one’s arena. And what a timely merit to receive on the heels of celebrating the Fourth of July.
“I do appoint this Marine, a staff sergeant meritoriously in the United States Marine Corps to render such from the second day of July 2023,” Sergeant Major Jairo Fredonis formally declared at the ceremony, which kicked off at around 11:45 a.m. “This appointee will therefore carefully and diligently discharge the duties of the grade to which appointed by doing and performing all manner of things there on to pertaining, and I can strictly charge and require all personnel of lesser grade to render obedience to appropriate orders… given under my hand at headquarters, the United States Marine Corps, the second day of July, in the year of our Lord 2023. Signed William J. Bowers, Major General, United States Marine Corps, commanding David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps.”
“Not a lot of Marines get that opportunity,” Major Dennis Graziosi added. “Not a lot of Marines get that kind of reward and honor here today. And you know, although it’s a great honor, it’s not surprising at all, if you know him, it’s not surprising at all that he would get this. It’s truly special. Everyone’s here. Look how many people are here. We’ve got family members, we’ve got friends, we’ve got members, the community, we’ve got poolees, we’ve got Marines, everybody. And we can’t do this without your guys’ support. This is a whole team effort.”
Well-traveled during his near decade of active military service, everyone’s favorite local Marine whose likeness is plastered across a variety of go-to Smithtown convenience stores has been deployed overseas and stationed on the opposite coast of the United States. Returning home for reassignment as a recruiter operating out of the Smithtown Marine Office on Main Street in August 2021 was something his family and friends who missed him terribly welcomed a great deal. Though he was obviously thrilled to be back home for such reunions, this new post was, admittedly, one he was not as keen on as he is today.
“..they told me that I was going to be a recruiter. And, I’m sorry, I didn’t want to do it,” Staff Sergeant Bazan-Bergamino revealed with deadpan delivery, inspiring a collective chuckle which he couldn’t help but join in on. “I was kicking and screaming every day to not come out. But when I got here, I learned a lot. I got pushed from day one.”
Addressing the crowd further after his new rank had officially been rendered, the famously plain-clothed charismatic Carlos remained characteristically stoic in his government-issued camos as he relished in a clearly emotional moment— one he never imagined for himself as a self-perceived lean, mean, truly teenaged machine.
While he characterizes his younger self as someone with a penchant for shenanigans, everyone from the educators tasked with telling him to quit talking in class, to the underclassmen he captained on Varsity Track & Field that couldn’t get enough of his stream-of-consciousness sage advice, remember him as a friend to all and a force to be reckoned with.
Moreover, from those more innocent times to the reality of adulthood, he’s consummately sported a smile through all forms of adversity— a testament to someone who was long-destined for greatness, even if he hadn’t recognized it himself just yet.
“I’m going to thank the poolees for letting me mentor them, because if it wasn’t for you guys, I’m not here,” Bazan-Bergamino concluded, “…everyone else who came to support? I really appreciate it.”
Bazan-Bergamino and company celebrated at the beloved local staple Rockwell’s Bar and Grill on Terry Road in Smithtown afterward. Nothing says “I just got promoted” like sending someone on an impromptu Starbucks run between rounds of casually competitive cornhole.
“I’m thrilled to hear about my friend Carlos’ promotion in the Marines. It’s no surprise that he received such a rewarding promotion, as he’s always been the hardest worker in any environment,” Bazan- Bergamino’s childhood friend, teammate and fellow Hauppauge Class of 2014 alum Kyle Gerken, 27, told The Messenger.
“Working our first job as golf caddies at the Huntington Crescent Club in high school, Carlos from the beginning was the first to show up and was quickly recognized by our managers and club members for his eagerness to work. Fast forward 10-plus years later, and he has gone above and beyond his own expectations and is even guiding young men and women towards a successful career in the marines. He’s an excellent leader, admirable Marine, a friend for life, and I look forward to celebrating his next big promotion in the near future.”
In two years, now-Staff Sergeant Carlos Bazan- Bergamino has recruited 44 young men and women Marines who’ve either graduated Parris Island, South Carolina Boot Camp, or are to report there in the coming weeks.
It is also through Staff Sergeant Bazan-Bergamino The Messenger was able to attend the United States Marine Corps’ Educators Workshop on the ground at Parris Island back in May to learn firsthand about the recruit experience. We thank Staff Sergeant Bazan- Bergamino and his equally brave colleagues for their service and sacrifices, and for recruiting us to partakein the experience of a lifetime we’ve documented in an upcoming feature story. Stay tuned!
The Smithtown Marine Recruiting Office is located at 141 E Main Street in Smithtown. Call (631) 265-3020 or stop by and visit Carlos in-office to learn all about how you or a loved one can sign up today to become one of the few and the proud.
