CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marine Corps Community Services awarded Field Medical Training Battalion West for outstanding volunteer service at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 30.
Marine Corps Community Services selected Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Clayton, a corpsmen and instructor with FMTB-West, to receive the $2,000 award on behalf of the battalion for his role during the Hard Corps Race Series 2012.
The Hard Corps Race Series is a series of running, cycling and obstacle races, including the world famous Mud Run. Each race is held once a year as part of the series.
Clayton took on the challenge of volunteer coordinator for the race series and coordinated more than 200 volunteers to support.
“Clayton plays an integral part in providing our volunteers.” Said Jimi Shive, the Hard Corps Race Series assistant coordinator. “He not only gathers volunteers, but he’s always there on the day of the event to help manage his group of volunteers.”
FMTB-West provides extensive training to Navy corpsmen and instructs up to 300 students at a time. The students don’t have much free time while in student status, but many of them volunteer their time anyway.
“FMTB-West has been crucial in providing volunteers to each of our races for course support as well as finish line medical support,” Shive said. “They’ve been great at providing any support that the race series needs.”
The students provide medical support to the competitors in the race when needed. They also help set up chairs and tables and hand out water to competitors and encourage them to do well.
“Once the race starts, our primary role is first aid and medical care,” said Clayton, 30, from Midvale, Utah. “If nobody is hurt they can act as every other volunteer does.”
The battalion provided more volunteers to the race series than any other unit. They were active in their role as corpsmen and volunteers. The check will be put into the commander’s recreation fund, where it can be used for future activities and events.
“We at the race series look forward to working with FMTB-West and their amazing staff,” Shive said. “HM1 Clayton has gone above and beyond in taking the reins for the 2012 race series FMTB-West volunteer group. We look forward to working with him and other outstanding individuals like him.”