Photo By Keith Hayes | Ray Aguilar has 39 years with the Department of Defense and 14 years as the safety...... read more read more
Ray Aguilar, base safety officer aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow is being recognized for his contribution to creating a climate of safety aboard the base that reduced lost man hours due to accidents.
Aguilar was selected by the Navy League of the United States to receive the General James L. Jones Safety Award for fiscal year 2015.
The purpose for the annual award for Navy and Marine civilian personnel and units is to “further stimulate safety ideas, suggestions, programs, and other actions that will reduce mishaps and fatalities,” as stated in the organization’s award submission application letter.
The NLUS is a national organization of civilian volunteers who work to develop public interest in the U.S. Sea Services and the Marine Corps to sustain naval efficiency and support Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen and their families.
Aguilar, who has worked as base safety officer since 2002, explained that the award comes in two forms.
“They have an individual and unit award,” Aguilar said. “The base won the unit award last year (Fiscal Year 2014).”
Colonel Sekou Karega, commanding officer, MCLB Barstow, nominated the base safety officer for the individual award, said Aguilar.
He explained why he thought he won the award.
“I think one of the reasons that made (MCLB Barstow) stand out was our support of other Marine, Navy, Air Force and Army installations in their efforts to get (Voluntary Protection Program Star status),” Aguilar said.
In 2008, MCLB Barstow became the first Marine Corps installation ever to achieve VPP Star status, he said, and has become the model program for other military commands to emulate.
“We sent folks out to Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Ga., and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, Jacksonville, Fla., to guide them through the VPP application process,” he said, “and both of those installations have become VPP Star sites.”
Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, Utah and Travis Air Force Base Fairfield, Calif., benefited from MCLBB instruction and achieved VPP Star status while Fort Irwin, Calif., and Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif., are both working toward certification, Aguilar explained.
The award luncheon is scheduled for May 18, at the Navy League Sea-Air-Space Exposition in National Harbor, Md., and will be presented by the Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean J. Stackley.
Aguilar is typically modest about achieving the Navy League Safety Award.
“I’m proud of the recognition our safety efforts have earned,” he said. “They can call this an individual award, but to me it’s the base that’s receiving it.”
| Date Taken: | 04.28.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.28.2016 10:34 |
| Story ID: | 196755 |
| Location: | BARSTOW, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 60 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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