1st Marine Division (Forward) memorializes fallen brother
by Cpl. Daniel Blatter 1st MarDiv
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Marines and sailors from Regional Command Southwest and 1st Marine Division (Forward) at Camp Leatherneck, paused to honor Staff Sgt. Joshua James Cullins, Oct. 27.
Cullins, 28, a 1st Mar Div (Fwd) EOD technician with 1st EOD Company was killed in action, Oct. 19.
“First EOD Company has suffered great losses during this deployment,” said Capt. James Shelstad, 1st EOD Company, company commander. “Each loss has been significant and each loss has been equally painful for the entire EOD family, and for the families back home.”
More than 200 Marines, sailors and service members came to honor Staff Sgt. Cullins at his memorial ceremony. “If first impressions are any indication of a man’s character, then Staff Sgt. Cullins, or ‘J.J.’ as we called him, was larger than life,” Shelstad said. “Once you met J.J., you never forgot him.”
Cullins served two deployments to Iraq and was serving his second tour of duty as an explosive ordinance disposal technician.
“His laid back attitude and positive outlook made him a fun person to hang out with,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Shankle, an EOD team leader with 1st EOD Company, who has been a friend of Cullins since 2007. “His outlook on life would always make you realize that your problems were small and not that big of a deal.”
Upon graduating in 2000 from Royal High School in Semi Valley, Calif., Cullins enlisted in the Marine Corps and was active duty until July 2008. Cullins transferred to the reserve, and became a police officer for the Los Angeles Police Department.
“I remember how excited he was after his first high-speed pursuit through downtown Los Angeles,” said Staff Sgt. David Moran, an EOD team leader with 1st EOD Company. “He always made me laugh with the way he reenacted his DUI stops and talked about how he busted some teens for petty drug charges.”
Staff Sgt. Cullins was activated in February and deployed in March as the 1st Marine Division (Forward) EOD Chief.
“J.J. was a good EOD tech, a good cop and a great friend,” said Moran. “Above all else, he was a brother to those of us who knew him.”
Many service members from all services of the EOD community attended the memorial at Camp Leatherneck and paid their respects to their fallen brother.
“Staff Sgt. Cullins impressed everyone who he came in contact with,” said Shelstad. “He had the natural ability to make friends with anyone who was fortunate enough to meet him.”
The ceremony included Bible verses, prayers and personal reflections honoring Cullins. Final Roll was called three times for Staff Sgt. Joshua James Cullins, only to be answered by silence. Taps followed in a final farewell.
“Although my time with J.J. was short, every memory I had with him was a good one,” Shankle added. “I will miss J.J., but I am glad I got the chance to know him and call him my friend.”
As the ceremony came to an end, his fellow Marines remembered Cullins for who he was and the bravery he displayed while with EOD.
“I would like to express our deepest sympathy to his family, friends and loved ones,” said Shelstad. “His duty and services to this country and our Corps will never be forgotten.
“You rest in piece J.J. Cullins. We will miss you ‘bro’”
Cullins leaves behind his parents, James and Barbara, and brothers, Cooper and Donovan.
by Lance Cpl. Jerrick J. Griffin 1st MarLogGroup: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Family members, friends and fellow Marines gathered to pay their final respects to a fallen explosive ordnance disposal technician, Nov. 23.
Staff Sgt. Joshua J. Cullins, the 28-year-old Simi Valley, Calif. native, gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Helmand province, Afghanistan, with 1st EOD Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward).
Cullins, also known as “JJ,” was remembered for his laid-back style, but most importantly his smile.
“Every time you’d see JJ he would have a smile on his face,” said Capt. James Shelstad, the company commander of 1st EOD Company, 1st MLG. “He would always cheer me up on the days I felt down.”
Shelstad also added that Cullins had a knack for using the word “bro” in every conversation he had.
Cullins joined the Marine Corps in June 2000. Later in 2004, he made a lateral move into the EOD community. He reenlisted as a reservist EOD technician in June 2008 and was employed by the Los Angeles Police Department. Cullins deployed to Afghanistan in May 2010 and was killed in action Oct 19 2010.
“He was a very good Marine, but more importantly he was a good friend,” said Shelstad. “JJ will be missed.”
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