Photo By Master Sgt. Michael Cifuentes | Sergeant Nicholas T. Govin, a reconnaissance man and a special equipment...... read more read more
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In a formation in front of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Lt. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, presented the Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award to Sgt. Nicholas T. Govin and Sgt. Jeremiah L. Hoff, both serving with 1st Recon’s Alpha Company.
According to the citation, the award recognizes Marines for overall leadership in their organization. Alpha Company’s first sergeant said the recognition is appreciated and welcomed.
“The reconnaissance Marines are pretty unique, and throughout the Marine Corps we know that,”1st Sgt. Tate Ulven said. “They have a very special job, and it takes a lot out of them personally and professionally. They don’t always get credit for it.”
Waldhauser said 1st Recon is a big part of what 1st Marine Division and the Marine Expeditionary Force brings to the fight. As a veteran of 1st Recon, he expressed that the Marines who serve with the battalion have to train hard day in and day out, “and these two guys certainly underscore that.”
Govin, a native of Park City, Utah, enlisted in the Marine Corps in February 2000, but joined the reconnaissance field in December 2009. Since then, he’s trained in numerous advanced training courses that equipped him with the tactics and proficiency needed as a leader. Ulven said Govin now works at a master sergeant or first sergeant level.
Even though the award was presented to him, Govin said the award really reflects his leaders and the caliber of Marines in his battalion.
“Hopefully people can understand that 1st Reconnaissance Battalion is doing an excellent job at molding and mentoring their Marines and leadership capabilities,” Govin said.
Hoff shares the same sentiment and attributes the award to his past leaders. Hoff enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 2006 and was first assigned to 1st Recon early the next year.
“I’m being recognized for the guys who have shown me the right thing to do,” said Hoff, from Muskegon, Mich. “I think a Marine becomes a good leader by seeing the qualities and knowing the good qualities they see in other Marines and their previous leaders. Everything I learned as far as leadership skills and knowledge is attributed to my past team leaders and platoon sergeants.”
The battalion sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. William C. Carter, said he expects a lot from the noncommissioned officers in the battalion and holds them to high standards. He expressed the importance of recognizing Marines for their abilities to lead both up and down the ranks.
Members of 1st Recon nominated the two awardees. Govin said since two Marines cut from the same unit were selected, “no one can say there’s a problem with leading Marines in the battalion.”
| Date Taken: | 07.28.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.28.2012 15:29 |
| Story ID: | 92307 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Hometown: | MUSKEGON, MI, US |
| Hometown: | PARK CITY, UT, US |
| Web Views: | 3,780 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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