MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marines leave the Marine Corps knowing how to be a leader, physically fit, financially savvy and have the tools for a successful career.
Alga Hollin, who dedicated 24 years to the Corps, found his calling while working in the motor transportation field. Hollin’s passion of the automotive world brought him to Camp Pendleton.
“I help service members and (their families) learn how to repair their vehicles,” said Hollin, safety officer at the 13 Area Auto Skills Center since 2004.
By teaching them how to maintain their vehicle, he said, individuals will have a better knowledge of their car and how to conduct preventive maintenance.
“I watch over them to make sure they are doing it right and I also teach them for future reference,” he said.
Hollin teaches motorists how to check their brakes, motor oil, fluids within the car and anything else they may need assistance with while at the center.
“The most important thing I teach them is preventive maintenance on a vehicle,” Hollin said. He believes it is important because the individual can maintain the vehicle and have the experience to fix the problem before it is too late.
During an average work day, Hollin tours the center assisting anyone who seeks help and sometimes helps those who do not even know there is a problem.
Chief Warrant Officer Chad Reese was fixing the brakes on his vehicle when Hollin noticed a problem.
Hollin explained why the bolt was not fitting in the brake fixture and helped repair it, said Reese, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear officer, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
“If it wasn’t for him I probably would have driven off, not fixing it,” he said. “Maybe down the line I would have gotten in an accident because my brakes didn’t work.”
Hollin has not only helped service members with their vehicles, but he has also helped military families who were less experienced in the automotive world while their loved one is deployed.
“I have had service members come back from deployments, thanking me because I helped their family,” he said. “I love my job not only because I get to work with Marines but because I get to teach them something that can potentially save their lives.”