Spotlight!
Faces of MCIPAC: Maj. Phillip Tate at Camp Foster, Okinawa
By
Marine Corps Installations Pacific August 5, 2022
Lance Cpl. Jonathan Beauchamp
Marine Corps Installations Pacific August 5, 2022
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Phillip Tate, the company commander of Bravo Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, takes notes on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, June 9, 2022. Tate assumed command of Bravo Co. on May 25 and prioritizes knowing and understanding Marines’ needs. He also strives to lead his company to mission success with the highest standards of the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan Beauchamp) ()
CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – “To be a leader you have to get buy-in from other individuals to achieve a common goal, a purpose, or a mission,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Phillip Tate, the company commander of Bravo Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. “Leadership is about finding avenues for success by leading in ways Marines not only follow but desire to follow.”
Tate was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, where he grew up with a large military presence. During high school, he joined and graduated the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and went on to the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Southern University and A&M College. After completing college, Tate commissioned as an officer in the Marine Corps in 2009.
Since his commission, he strives to lead Marines according to the highest standards of the Marine Corps. Tate assumed command of Bravo Co. on May 25. As a commander, he prioritizes knowing his Marines and understanding their needs, leading to mission success. A company commander’s mission is to support the training, development, and mentorship of service members among a variety of sections across an installation.
The MCIPAC mission is to exercise command and control, oversight, and budgetary guidance over the Marine Corps’ network of Advanced Naval Bases in the Indo-Pacific in order to secure and protect capabilities, strengthen alliances, and expand the capabilities of forward-deployed naval expeditionary forces. Bravo Company is divided into sections including the Installation Safety Office, Communication Strategy and Operations, Provost Marshal’s Officer, and several staff sections such as G-6, Communications, and G-2, Intelligence. Tate oversees the capabilities and operations of these service members and sections to further the mission of MCIPAC.
Some of Tate’s daily duties are to ensure administrative reports are consolidated, oversee fitness reports, and attend meetings with key leaders to further a unit’s success. In addition to Tate's duties, he communicates with the Marines and Sailors under his charge, to ensure their voice is heard.
“He cares for the highest-ranking Marine, all the way down to the most junior-ranking,” said 1st Sgt. Victor Martinez, the company first sergeant of Bravo Company, H&S Battalion, MCIPAC. “I see this every day as we visit various sections on Camp Butler. He loves to interact with every service member under his charge and figure out how he can assist that individual.”
Martinez explained that Tate has a strong foundation of leadership built from years of experience in leading Marines. He said both he and Tate appreciate what the Marines and Sailors, of Bravo Co. do by having the highest level of readiness and preparation for any challenge they may face.
“I want every individual Marine to know they, along with the duties they hold, matter,” said Tate. “The work we do is critical for us to succeed and to continue our mission as H&S Battalion.”