MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The inspector general team of 1st Marine Logistics Group received the General Shoup Superior Unit Performance Award at the Inspector General of the Marine Corps training symposium in Quantico, Virginia, Aug. 25-28, 2026.
The award is presented to the inspector general’s office that upholds the highest level of efficiency, integrity and mission readiness following an inspection by the Inspector General of the Marine Corps that assessed different functional areas within 1st MLG.
The responsibilities of U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Duong Dam, command inspector general, and Mr. Thomas Gresser, deputy inspector general, both with 1st MLG, include ensuring command readiness by inspecting functional areas, such as efficiency and readiness programs, welfare programs, operations, safety, institutional integrity and oversight, as well as personnel preservation. Additionally, the inspector general’s office ensures that commands within the unit are adhering to orders and regulations.
“We’re here to assist the Marines in any way possible to ensure that they’re meeting fundamental readiness,” said Gresser.
A large part of their work relies on building relationships with commands and ensuring that they have continuous communication. They serve as an unbiased office where Marines can go to get advice, address issues and ensure that they have the right resources to resolve issues they may be experiencing.
Dam said staying neutral is a key point to having an office where Marines can come in and voice their concerns so that they can point them in the right direction.
To hold a high standard, Gresser said that they largely rely on teamwork, and not only that the teamwork that occurs within their office, but also working alongside commanders with different missions. Having continuous communication and building trust with each command contributed to the MLG upholding the standards in each functional area.
The award was a recognition of everyone’s hard work that happens behind the scenes that typically isn’t seen at all command levels, said Gresser.
At the training symposium where they were presented with the award, units were able to provide their best practices and gain a better understanding about how the IGMC is bringing change to the Marine Corps as an organization. As for the next inspection, they said that they want to do better.
Although commands are continuously changing, the inspector general’s team goal is to continue maintaining the highest standard of efficiency, integrity and readiness that they have set for 1st MLG.
“I believe in continuous improvement,” said Dam. “Marines should leave any place better than he or she found it.”