2nd MAW Marines earn Marine, NCO of the Year honors

Photo By Sgt. Austin Long | Major Gen. William Beydler awards the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal to Sgt. Andrew Hicks during a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., March 20, 2015. Hicks, a native of Tyler, Texas, was recently named the 2014 II Marine Expeditionary Force Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Beydler is the commanding general of II MEF and Hicks is a helicopter airframes mechanic with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269. (United States Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Austin Long)  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, UNITED STATES

03.31.2015

Story by Sgt. Austin Long 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - Two 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing noncommissioned officers were recognized for their outstanding performance during a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, March 20, 2015.

Major Gen. William Beydler, the commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, recognized Cpl. Anthony Novelly as the 2014 II MEF Marine of the Year and Sgt. Andrew Hicks as the II MEF Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, presenting each with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for their efforts.

II MEF annually recognizes outstanding Marines from within its ranks. All Marines in II MEF are expected to meet minimum readiness standards, but some go above and beyond in support of II MEF and the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, according to Beydler.

“I think it’s important to recognize those who perform above the standard,” said Beydler. “They are Marines who do more than the minimum and they deserve to be recognized for their hard work and efforts.”

Novelly, a tiltrotor mechanic with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162, and Hicks, a helicopter airframes mechanic with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, consistently perform above the standard and are an example for all to emulate.

Novelly, who enlisted at age 27, aims to accomplish much more as a Marine – and the Marine of the Year recognition will help him reach his goals, he said.

“It’s really an honor to be recognized for your hard work,” said Novelly, a native of St. Louis who plans to become a Marine naval aviator. “This [recognition] is just another step on my path to continue doing better than the day before.”

Hicks, the II MEF Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, was also recognized by Beydler during the ceremony.

“I am honored and humbled to have been chosen as the NCO of the Year for II MEF,” said Hicks, a native of Tyler, Texas. “I am honored to represent an amazing group of NCO’s who belong to II MEF.”

Drawing motivation from past experiences early in his enlistment, Hicks takes lessons learned and applies them to his day-to-day leadership. Part of his role as an NCO is showing Marines of all ranks that the Corps’ leadership traits and principles are more than just words – they are a mandate, according to Hicks.

“Courage isn’t just shielding your buddy from a grenade blast,” said Hicks “For most Marines, courage isn’t only found on the battlefield. Far more often, courage is standing up for what is right. Standing up for Marines is an everyday courage that will not go unnoticed.”

• Date Taken: 03.31.2015
• Date Posted: 03.31.2015 14:50
• Story ID: 158689
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, US
• Hometown: ST. LOUIS, MO, US
• Hometown: TYLER, TX, US