MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania - Marines and sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 14 are thoroughly prepared to be the crisis-contingency force in the Eastern European region, along with promoting regional stability and security. However, one thing they don’t suspect is the surprise of being selected for Marine of the Week.
Corporal Joshua Shelley, a combat engineer with BSRF-14, and Lebanon, Ind. native, was chosen as this week’s Marine of the Week for his selfless service, determination and leadership.
Shelley said that when he found out that he was selected for the award, he was very proud of himself.
“Overall, it feels pretty good. I already had [someone] come up to me and tell me they were jealous about it,” said Shelley. “To have that kind of impact is pretty huge to me.”
Shelley got selected for the award for all of the hard work that he has been doing lately, assured 2nd Lt. Sophie Funderburk, the assistant logistics officer for BSRF-14, and Wilmington, N.C. native.
“Recently he’s been working really hard to build some things around the base. He built a fence plan for us, and most recently he and another combat engineer finished up a shelter for a piece of communication equipment,” said Funderburk. “He’s also really been stepping up as a non-commissioned officer, and stepping into that leadership role.”
Shelley said that both of his grandfathers served in the military, and that he chose the Marine Corps because he wanted to be the ‘best of the best.’ Choosing to be the best comes with some challenges.
“As far as being a Marine, trying to lead others is the hardest part,” said Shelley. “With my military occupational specialty, the hardest part is trying to stay proficient with everything I do.”
Funderburk said that Shelley has many attributes that make him such a special Marine.
“He is incredibly professional, well-spoken, and proficient in his military occupational specialty. He’s a Marine that can get a task and will get it done, and it will be exactly what you were expecting. If it’s not, he’s a Marine that takes criticism and feedback really well.”
Shelley believes that Marine of the Week is an important award, and is beneficial for future Marines and sailors who receive it.
“It lets Marines [and sailors] know that they’re doing a good job, and that they’re doing what’s expected of them, and even above and beyond that,” said Shelley. “It’s a good morale booster for Marines that deserve it; to be told you’re Marine of the Week is a huge deal.”
Shelley has set even bigger goals for himself alongside receiving Marine of the Week, he also hopes to be put up on a meritorious sergeant board while on this deployment with the Black Sea Rotational Force.