CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - The Military Affairs Committee presented the service member of the month award for the month of June to Sgt. William A. Seniw, a tank gunner with Company B, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, and Chicago Heights, Ill., native, at the Officer’s Club, June 17, 2013.
The MAC honors one service member each month who exemplifies what it truly means to be a Marine or sailor. The service member who gets selected for this award also gets put into the running for the service member of the year award.
Prior to receiving the award, Seniw also received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for heroic action and superior performance as a tank gunner for Company B, 2nd Tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division Forward, in December 2012.
Seniw is also a past recipient of the non-commissioned officer of the quarter, and earned a meritorious promotion to sergeant in May of this year. The Chicago Heights, Ill., native is a combat marksmanship coach as well as a Marine Corps martial arts black belt instructor.
Seniw is decorated with the aforementioned Navy Achievement Medal with combat distinguishing device, Combat Action Ribbon, two Afghan Campaign Medals, as well as other personal and unit awards.
Staff Sgt. John Kramer, a platoon sergeant with 2nd Tank Battalion, said that there is more to Seniw than what has been read.
“Everything that was read for him today doesn’t speak enough of what this man has accomplished in the time that he’s been in the Marine Corps,” said Kramer.
Second Lt. Christopher Swift, a platoon commander with 2nd Tanks, said that Seniw thoroughly deserves the award that he has been given.
“I cannot think of a finer Marine to be more deserving of this honor and recognition of service member of the month,” said Swift. “He has made an absolute impact on me, especially being new to the tank community. Sergeant Seniw definitely has brought me in [and] taught me a lot of things behind the scenes, showing me what it is the junior Marines really expect their platoon commanders to be doing for them.”
Swift also said that Seniw is always willing to help the other Marines.
“[Seniw] absolutely loves to give back to the Marines,” said Swift. “They are definitely his heart and soul.”
Seniw ended the ceremony with his speech stating that he wants the stay in the Marine Corps.
“I love being a Marine,” Seniw said. “I plan on staying in, so they’re going to have to kick me out.”
Seniw also said that his future goals are to serve more than 20 years in the Marine Corps, serve as a Marine Combat Instructor, attend Master Gunner school, continue to be a good husband to his wife Ashley, and a good father to his child, which is due sometime in early July.