JACKSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES -- U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Angel Canales, a Manassas, Virginia, native was recently selected as the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River Go-Getter of the month for November 2024.
Canales is the hazardous material (HAZMAT) supervisor for the Consolidated Hazardous Material Reutilization Inventory Management Program (CHRIMP), Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, on MCAS New River in Jacksonville, NC.
Filling the role of a supervisor, Canales shows exceptional organizational and leadership abilities necessary for the job. Out of four sections in the shop, he leads both the supply and issue-out sections. Daily tasks include sorting HAZMAT, managing waste pickups, communicating with units regarding HAZMAT requests, mission supports, and orders, and tasking out the operations of his Marines throughout the week.
Though Canales has been awarded multiple ribbons, medals, and certificates, his proudest achievement is creating a program to track, record, and alert every piece of HAZMAT coming in and out of the shop, thus alleviating the possibility of errors and confusion collapsing CHRIMP’s workflow, according to Canales.
“When I arrived at base HAZMAT, I noticed a flaw in their system on having only one supply Marine keep track and know where all the HAZMAT in the warehouse is stored,” said Canales. “This system slowed our tempo while we were struggling on finding HAZMAT blindly when the supply Marine was unavailable. I then created an Excel program that we use daily.”
Being a lance corporal himself, Canales leads by example in not only fostering a positive environment but also thinking ahead during challenging workloads. For example, he led the Marines, who were down to half of their crew, in supporting over 50 requests of HAZMAT from multiple units and varying quantities for deployments and finished a day earlier than needed.
“Canales’ character embodies the spirit of an achiever,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Davis, CHRIMP staff non-commissioned officer in charge. “He is always dedicated to serving the Marine Corps in a way that uplifts not only himself, but those around him, regardless of their rank.”
Canales’ program now maintains documentation and organization of critical materials Marines in different MOS’s need for their operations. Some of these include oil, lubricants, sealant, paint, alcohol, bleach and acetone for airframes, flight equipment, and more. While CHRIMP may be overlooked by some, it maintains the standards of all the Marines’ equipment around them on MCAS New River.
As a work-driven and reliable leader, his motivation comes from his peers and helping make other unit’s missions.
“It’s rewarding to teach your Marines and see them performing on their own,” Canales said. “My biggest goal at CHRIMP is for the Marines to be as confident and capable when I’m not here.”
Canales’ drive to build up those around him is present within himself as well. With a natural aptitude and passion for technology and problem solving, Canales plans to apply what he has learned in the Marine Corps while pursuing a career in software development and IT specialization in the future, he said.