Photo By Sgt. Grace L. Waladkewics | Honorees, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing leadership and guests move through a buffet line...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Fourteen Marines and Sailors with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing were honored Sept. 12 for their accomplishments and the critical roles they have played in supporting the mission of the wing.
Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hedelund, commanding general of 2nd MAW, and his wife Alicia, hosted the 13th Junior Leader Recognition Dinner at their residence at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., to honor the hard work and constant dedication of the top junior leaders across 2nd MAW.
"It is a great honor to bring this group of leaders together who have done such great things in their squadrons and groups, for our wing and for our country," said Hedelund. "Each of you has demonstrated all the leadership traits that we are looking for in a good noncommissioned officer and Marine."
The senior leadership from each of the MAW squadrons and groups acknowledged the contributions of the honorees during the dinner with a meal prepared by celebrity chef Rick Tarantino and a team of food service specialists from the II Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations East.
"We as senior leadership are very keen on the commandant’s idea that the Marine and Sailor NCOs can make or break the Corps," said Hedelund. "We have chosen those from our MAW who exemplify those traits that we are looking for.”
The attendees enjoyed music by a jazz quartet from the 2nd MAW band while relishing food and drinks donated by local community businesses. The awardees were honored with small mementos to show the communities appreciation for their hard work and dedication.
"This is one of our favorite events to do because it’s a great way for us to thank these heroes for their service and all that they do for the community," said Tarantino, who has cooked for five heroes dinners at Cherry Point.
According to Tarantino, this event started small and has grown bigger each year.
"It’s not about us; it's about the service members. We are proud to be here," said Tarantino. "This is our way of thanking them for serving. It is a true honor to be able to thank them by turning it around and serving them tonight."
Hedelund and the senior enlisted advisors from each of the MAW squadrons and groups introduced their honorees and explained why they were chosen and what made them stand out amongst their peers.
Sgt. Amado S. Benin, currently serving as the training NCO for the military intelligence and security office at Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 was selected for constantly striving to improve his work environment and ensure readiness within his unit. Benin has constantly looked for ways to improve his military occupational specialty proficiency.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Vanessa J. Woodward was selected for her leadership abilities and professionalism. Her motivation and continuous positive output led to her selection as a top junior leader in her squadron. Woodward is a personnel specialist for MWHS-2.
Sgt. Mackenzie M. Catrett currently serves as the egress and environmental systems work center staff noncommissioned officer in charge and collateral duty quality assurance representative for Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2. He has been responsible for running his work center while undergoing three major maintenance inspections. His hard work and mentorship of 13 Marines under his charge is where he has shown his embodiment of the Corps values that were instrumental in his selection.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Pamela Espinal, work center supervisor for the aviation medicine department of Marine Aircraft Group 14, was selected to represent her squadron because of her demonstration as a leader in physical readiness as well as her impeccable military bearing. She has displayed constant motivation in mentoring to her peers and has taken initiative to seek out ways to demonstrate her embodiment of the reawakening of NCO's. Espinal is a hospital corpsman.
Sgt. Johanna Collins is the assistant operations chief with the operations department of Marine Aircraft Group 26. Collins has been a continuous mentor to junior Marines through her example of good work ethic, professional appearance, bearing, physical fitness and conduct. Additionally she served as the sergeant instructor for the Never Leave a Marine Behind program and assistant personnel support detachment platoon sergeant.
Cpl. Thomas C. McArthor is a MV-22 tilt rotor airframes mechanic with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of corporal in December 2012 and selected as the squadrons NCO of the Quarter. He has continuously led his junior Marines through mentorship and guidance.
Sgt. Mark W. Rachow has been meritoriously promoted twice, selected as the NCO of the Quarter for Marine Aircraft Group 31 and has received six letters of appreciation for his involvement in community volunteer work. He is certified as a High Intensity Tactical Training and Total Body Resistance Exercise Trainer as well as tool room, publications, layettes and collaboration NCO for his group. His desire to constantly better himself has encouraged junior Marines to seek him as a mentor and a role model.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Renaldo N. Watts has been noted as a reliable, knowledgeable and valuable member of MAG-31. He has played a key role in maintaining MAG-31's medical mission, efficiency and readiness. Watts is a hospital corpsman.
Sgt. Matthew C. Chorba is the career planner for Marine Air Control Squadron 2. He has shown a unique ability to lead his peers and junior Marines. He has frequently stood out among his peers for his demeanor, bearing and work ethic.
Cpl. Tyler J. Ronish recently served as the staff NCO section chief for the telephone computer maintenance section of Marine Aircraft Group 28. He has taken charge of the 22 Marines in his section and constantly represented his squadron as the epitome of a well-rounded NCO. He is a first-degree black belt martial arts instructor, organizational color bearer and NCO of the Quarter.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Kristopher Krysa has been known to seek professional improvement for himself and his peers. He has made significant improvements to the Marine Air Control Squadron 2 medical mission of efficiency and readiness. He has left his mark on the squadron as a determined self-starter and has been sought out by his peers, senior and subordinates for his professionalism and knowledge.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Shawn P. Gaines currently serves as the religious program specialist for Marine Aircraft Group 29. He is a two-time recipient of the Junior Sailor of the Quarter Award. He has managed the MAG-29 operational stress control and readiness program and applied a suicide intervention skills training program within his group.
Sgt. Luis X. Wennberg is currently serving as platoon sergeant for the utilities platoon of Marine Wing Support Squadron 274. He was meritoriously promoted to his current rank after excelling in his duties as water section chief. He has shown his ability to take charge and has supervised operations and inventory of 125 serialized items within the water section. He served as utilities staff noncommissioned officer in charge for Operation Iron Curtain at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C., and provided utilities support for communications platoon, combat engineer platoon and billeting for more than 250 Marines as they prepared for deployment to Afghanistan.
Cpl. Chandler W. Morgan is an administrative specialist for Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron 302. He was selected as NCO of the Quarter for his professionalism, leadership and management skills. During the past year, he has filled the billet as administrative chief, handling the administration requirements of the 350 Marines within the squadron. Additionally, he served as the career planner and a member of the squadron's color guard.
“The success of our squadron would be impossible without the hard work and dedication of these NCO's," said Hedelund. "Their selfless service, sacrifice and dedication to MAW readiness has set them apart from their peers. Tonight we are proud to honor them."
| Date Taken: | 09.12.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2014 06:55 |
| Story ID: | 142247 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 275 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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