The Marine Corps is an incredibly diverse organization, with Marines from all walks of life filling the ranks. As Marines go up in rank, so to must they develop their own style of leadership, often emulating influential individuals they have experienced in their past, and for Cpl..Crystal Davis, an automotive maintenance technician with Combat Logistics Regiment 3, this is especially true.

"I want to be known as a person who upholds what is right and sets a good example for others to follow," said Davis, a Spanishtown, Jamaica native. "In my style of leadership, I rely on knowing myself to seek self-improvement and setting a good example of how a Marine should carry themself. It is important to seek self-improvement because I believe an individual can always grow, and the only way to grow is to further yourself."

Davis explained how her mother plays a massive part in her military career. Growing up, Davis saw her mother to be a firm but compassionate person, and she would spend long hours together with her mother cooking.

“She is someone that sympathizes and empathizes with her Marines,” said Sgt. Jonathan Byrd, an engineer equipment operator with CLR-3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group. “She is a leader that is capable of standing in front of her Marines and telling them what will lead to mission accomplishment best.”

Davis grew up in Jamaica, and when she was about to enter high school, she moved with her father to the U.S. so she could go to a better school, while her mother remained in Jamaica.

One day upon returning home from school Davis received a phone call telling her that her mother had passed away.

Upon her mother's death, Davis's life began to crumble, and she felt overwhelmed. Knowing the only way to overcome these feelings, she strives to live each day honoring her mother's final wish by following her dreams and never giving up.

"My mother would want me to do what makes me happy and follow my dreams," said Davis. "I consider myself a dreamer."

Davis is on a path of utilizing the cooking skills her mother taught her to become a master chief and own a Jamaican-style restaurant. She started cooking under her guidance as early as ten years old and shared meals with her family and friends. Davis often cooks daily, striving to master her recipes. To reach her goal to become a master chief, she continues studying culinary arts at a college level.

Lance Cpl. Damian Chan, an automotive maintenance technician with CLR-3, 3d MLG, compares Davis to a shop mom due to how often she feeds Marine’s homemade food out of the kindness of her heart. When she passes out meals, she speaks with each Marine about how their family is doing, bringing laughter and joyfulness to the workplace. Chan continued by expressing how Davis reminds him of home by strengthening the Marine Corps' family aspect, making it feel like a home away from home.

“I honor my heritage through my cooking and follow my dreams, like my mother before me,” said Davis. “It is important to me that everyone follows their dreams because you can never reach the stars if you do not stand up and take the leap and reach.”