MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan – It was a stormy night for an undesignated Seaman watching the rear of the ship. He was tasked with ensuring that there were no other vessels were nearby as the waves crashed, rocking the ship and his body from side to side. “I’m going to die,” he thought to himself as he braved the storm that night.

Today, U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ramy F. Teriak, the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni’s Logistics Officer, recollects his experiences as a junior Sailor.

“Thinking back, I understand that this is the prime time that you need someone watching out because when it's stormy and foggy, you're not seeing things around you,” Teriak said.

This event instilled into Teriak, from the beginning of his career, the importance of everyone having a role and how critical teamwork is to the success of any organization.

Even before his career in the military, he understood that cooperation was key to prospering in life. Growing up Teriak relied on his three siblings, his parents, and grandparents for mentorship in a 4-story apartment in Egypt. When he was 13 years old, Teriak’s father immigrated to the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship. It was during this time that Teriak became a Boy Scout and develop a passion for boxing. Teriak believes being a boxer and a boy scout are what laid the groundwork for his attitude toward success.

When he turned 18 years old, Teriak immigrated to the United States, and two years later he joined the U.S. Navy as an undesignated Seaman, which meant Teriak would wait an unknown amount of time to be assigned an official military occupational specialty – or job.

Joining the military concerned his father due to his lack of knowledge concerning the differences between the military branches, and due to the fact that in Egypt being military service was mandatory.

After serving eight years in the U.S. Navy, Petty Officer 1st Class Teriak decided to apply for Officer Candidate School (OCS). Upon graduating, he was selected as a supply officer.

12 years have passed since Teriak commissioned, and he now serves as head of the logistics department at MCAS Iwakuni. Teriak has the responsibility of overseeing multiple entities that are critical to the air station’s continued mission success. The divisions under his care include accounting, administration and planning, air transportation, cryogenics, and the distribution management office. In addition to the Marines and Sailors in his department, Teriak manages upwards of 400 Japanese Master Labor Contractors (MLCs) with the help of Master Chief Petty Officer Marco D. Joven Jr, his senior enlisted advisor, and many others within the logistics department.

Despite having the responsibility of overseeing multiple divisions – each with its own complexities – Teriak maintains an open door policy and fosters an intimate work environment with his team. Because of this, Teriak has had the opportunity to closely mentor both junior Sailors and Marines. “I tell my guys that my door is always open”, said Teriak. “I try to encourage them because when I was a junior Sailor, my seniors looked out for me and provided the support that I needed.”

With years leading Sailors and Marines and the plethora of resources that he provides to histhem, Teriak has become a mentor and role model to many under his leadership and throughout the installation.

“LCDR Teriak is one of the most adaptable leaders that will go through any hurdle to help his Sailors and Marines succeed,” said Senior Chief Jenny Magno, the Logistics Department Lead Petty Officer. “He always encourages and invites new ideas to help integrate every member like they’re family. I am proud to be part of this family in Logistics Department!”

MCAS Iwakuni plays a critical role in the Marine Corps mission, as it is home to the largest fuel depot in the Marine Corps with a co-located harbor and airfield, allowing expedient transportation of supplies, aircraft, and other logistical necessities throughout the pacific. Its role only possible thanks to the continued efforts of Teriak and his logistics team.

To Teriak, the memories of being harnessed to the back of a ship in the middle of a storm, and understanding that even an undesignated Seaman played an important role in the safety of an entire ship, reinforce his belief that everyone – regardless of where they are in their career, plays in integral role in the success of something bigger than ourselves.