Photo By Sgt. Tabitha Bartley | Twelve Marines, from around the Marine Corps, received awards during the Commandant of...... read more read more
Subscribe
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. – Twelve Marines were recognized by Lt. Gen. Robert E. Milstead Jr., commanding general Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, for their part in recruiting, making, developing and training Marines to preparing them for combat or standing duty at embassies.
Only six earned the title of Recruiter of Year, Prior Service Recruiter of the Year, Drill Instructor of the Year, Marine Combat Instructor of the Year, Marine Security Guard of the Year and Career Retention Specialist of the Year in a ceremony during the 2013 Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Combined Awards Program at the Clubs of Quantico on Jan. 30.
“We are Marines,” said Milstead. “One of our main focuses is on people. These Marines behind me, they all have a hand in the transformations a Marine goes through during their career.”
This year’s Recruiter of the Year was Staff Sgt. Alex B. Renner, St. Louis, 9th Marine Corps District. The runner up was Staff Sgt. Mark A. Mermis, Garden City, N.Y., 1st Marine Corps District.
The Prior Service Recruiter of the Year is Gunnery Sgt. Tomas Rubio, New Cumberland, Pa., 4th Marine Corps District. The runner up was Gunnery Sgt. Jose L. Alvarez, San Diego, a prior service recruiter from 12th Marine Corps District.
The Corps top Drill Instructor was Staff Sgt. Kenneth Williamson, who won for his work training recruits at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif. The runner up was Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Cook, who is a drill instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C.
The Combat Instructor of the Year is Staff Sgt. Dean Long, from School of Infantry West Camp Pendleton, Calif. The runner up was Staff Sgt. Shawn Bowman, from School of Infantry East Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The Marine Security Guard of the Year was Staff Sgt. Luis Vasquezestrada, American Embassy Argentina. The runner up was Gunnery Sgt. Nicholas Pascuzzi, American Embassy, United Arab Emirates.
The Career Retention Specialist of the Year was Staff Sgt. Richard G. Atkins, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. The runner up was Sgt. Benton T. Gillis, San Diego, 3D Marine Aircraft Wing.
“These Marines do their job well,” said Milstead. “They represent why and who we are.”
Marine Corps Base Quantico Base Commander Col. David Maxwell was pleased the awards were held at Quantico, but not surprised.
“This is the crossroads of the Marine Corps,” said Maxwell. “It only makes since for the Marines to come here to be recognized in their achievements.”
| Date Taken: | 02.01.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.06.2013 14:26 |
| Story ID: | 101562 |
| Location: | QUANTICO, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 339 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Best of the year awarded, by Sgt Tabitha Bartley, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT