Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Cristina Bates | Drill Instructors of the Year for Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, from left,...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Museum Historical Society recognized four drill instructors at Duncan Hall, April 26, during the society’s quarterly breakfast.
The society presented Staff Sgts. Michael Saldana, Kristopher Consiglio, Levi Fajardo and Matthew McNulty a cash award and certificate of appreciation for being named the 2010 Drill Instructors of the Year for MCRD San Diego.
“These four drill instructors are outstanding men,” said Lynn Stuart, executive director, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Museum Historical Society. “It is an honor for our society to recognize them.”
The historical society has been participating in the Drill Instructor of the Year Awards for several years. Along with the Drill Instructor of the Year Awards, the historical society awards scholarships and other educational opportunities to Marines, sailors and their dependents.
“We do this as a way to support the Commanding General’s various leadership and education programs on base,” said Stuart. “It’s our way to help recognize the outstanding drill instructors aboard MCRD.”
Each of the four battalions within the Recruit Training Regiment nominates a drill instructor for the annual award. The four drill instructors compete to be named the depot’s top drill instructor. Finally, the depot’s top drill instructor competes against the finalist from MCRD Parris Island for the overall title.
According to Sgt. Maj. James J. McCook, regimental sergeant major, Recruit Training Regiment, drill instructors are nominated based on consistent performance. In addition, they must have won a quarterly board at the regimental level.
“Drill instructors are nominated based on the whole-Marine concept,” said McCook “They need to demonstrate basic leadership traits and epitomize the drill instructor creed,” added McCook.
Ultimately, Saldana, a native of Seguin, Texas, was named the Marine Corps Drill Instructor of the Year.
“Being presented with the Drill Instructor of the Year Award was humbling,” said Saldana. “I never imagined I would achieve something like this,” he added. “I am really honored and privileged to be recognized by the society for an accomplishment like this,” said Saldana.
Saldana believes an accomplishment like this takes attention to every detail, pushing past personal limits and putting in an honest day’s work.
“I really want to thank the fine Marines I’ve worked with,” said Saldana. “I want to thank them for everything they’ve done for me.”
| Date Taken: | 04.26.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2011 10:42 |
| Story ID: | 69881 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 561 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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