Cover photo: Legislator Lennon (left) sworn at as Lt. Col. USMC by Colonel Brennan (Right) (Credit – Matt Meduri)
A Suffolk County Legislator just received a prestigious promotion in the United States Marine Corps (USMC).
Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point) has served in the USMC for seventeen years, including four years of active duty. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, leading over fifty combat missions that saw all of his units return home safely. Lennon has been recognized with various decorations, such as the Purple Heart Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Lennon, before Tuesday afternoon a Major in the USMC, has continued to serve as a reservist, even during his tenure as Legislator. The Rocky Point Conservative won the open seat for the Sixth Legislative District in 2023 with over 60% of the vote.
Lennon has staked his first term on the horseshoe on Veterans’ issues and human trafficking, primarily. Serving as Vice Chair of the Veterans Committee, Lennon has been at the forefront of Veterans’ services and causes. Two of his bills were unanimously approved by the eighteen-member Legislature, one to codify September 22 as Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, and the other to make Suffolk County officially recognize the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance (SAR) Flag.
Tuesday afternoon at the County Center in Riverhead saw Lennon’s promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the USMC.
The rank is fifth-highest of ten in the USMC, preceded by Major and followed by Colonel. Lennon’s role as a reservist Lieutenant Colonel entails his leadership and management in a primary staff or command role in a reserve unit.
The standard insignia for the USMC Lieutenant Colonel is the silver oak leaf, symbols now displayed on Lennon’s shoulder straps. The new decorations were placed on Lennon’s uniform by his two children.
“Lieutenant Colonel is the first command rank of substance. They hold significant staff positions,” said Colonel James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.). “They command battalions and squadrons, composite groups, and composite squadrons. They’re the ones that make plans; they’re the ones that make operations move.”
Brennan added that the Marine Corps did not promote Lennon based on what he does so far, but based on what he “can do.”
“He’s signing up to do exactly what the government asks him to do, what the Marine Corps asks him to do, what the President of the United States asks him to do, without question,” said Brennan. “And he does it freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.”
Lennon was promptly administered the oath, followed by cheers and “Ooh-rah’s” from the standing-room only auditorium.
Lennon has now been promoted five times, but this ceremony was the first of its kind for him.
“This is the first time I’ve been promoted with even just family around. When I first got promoted to First Lieutenant, I was in Afghanistan,” said Lennon, adding that his subsequent three promotions took place on bases in Texas and New Jersey. “I wanted my children to be here because every month, they watch me leave, and when our nation calls, we answer, even as reservists.”
Lennon discussed how when the Russia-Ukraine War first started, he was brought down to the Pentagon within the first month to help the response. He says that it’s not “just himself”, but all other reservists from any other community.
“I’ve told my kids and my family I’m going to continue serving because I love it. I love the Marines. I love being able to go out and defend this country because it’s about service,” said Lennon.
The packed house saw notable officials from across the county, such as Veterans Services Agency Director Marcelle Leis, County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), County Clerk Vincent Puleo (R-Nesconset), Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R-Medford), Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue), Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Baiting Hollow), and a bipartisan slate of the majority of the Suffolk County Legislature.
“Chad’s worked very hard to get to this point. It’s very well deserved,” Frank Lombardi, Commander of VFW Post #6249 in Rocky Point – Lennon’s home post – told The Messenger. “Given that he’s a [relatively] younger officer, it’s great to see him moving up in the Marine Corps.”
Lombardi was joined by Post #6249 Commander Emeritus Joe Cognitore.
