Gung-Ho Training Award - USMC OCS
Officer Candidate School can be tough training, said Candidate Rahsan Johnson, but keeping a positive outlook can make all the difference.
That’s why he tries to push through the difficulty and exhaustion to lead by example.
“That’s just my demeanor and I come in and bring the heat 110 percent every day,” Johnson said. “If you have a bad day everybody in the platoon can feel defeated with their head down but I try to keep morale high and everyone happy and the effect is so candidates don’t get complacent.”
Johnson’s peers in Echo Company, OCS recognized that motivated attitude during training and voted him the Gung-Ho Award. Candidate Ryan Montgomery from Golf Company also received the Gung-Ho Award for Golf Company.
The Marine Corps Association & Foundation sponsors the OCS Gung-Ho Award through the association’s Marine Excellence Awards Program. Each year MCA&F gives awards to recognize more than 10,000 deserving Marines and is the largest contributor of awards given to Marines.
“It’s very important to show (the candidates) we still recognize when they go above and beyond because that’s what we’re looking for,” said OCS Drill Master GySgt Hill. “They want to succeed and do more than what we ask of them.”
MCA&F Quantico Area Representative SgtMaj Kevin S. Bennett, USMC (Ret) presented the awards during the graduation ceremony on Saturday, 18 Aug.
“The award process is vital for these youngsters because they need to understand from the beginning that if they work their tail off for ten weeks they will be recognized as the best of the best,” Bennett said.
Other MCA&F OCS awards are a wristwatch for the Phil Yeckel Award as the candidate with the highest overall average and a set of tailored dress blues from The MARINE Shop for the Major Harry Elms Award as the candidate with the highest overall average with prior enlisted service.
The MCA&F awards the OCS Honor Graduate for the highest overall performance average. Candidate Natalie Smith from Golf Company scored a 96.53 GPA during the six-week training and earned her spot as top candidate and company commander during the graduation ceremony.
“It’s a nice pat on the back,” Smith said. “Awards are important because it’s the Marine Corps philosophy of discipline in private and reward in public.”
Candidate Heath Gomez from Echo Company was recognized for the MCA&F Leadership Award. He said it wasn’t something he was initially aiming for, but hopefully high standards and awards create a goal for future incoming candidates.
“We don’t do it for the awards, we’re just doing our best but it’s great to set an example,” Gomez said.
In addition to the awards dedicated to Marine Officer Candidates, the MCA&F also recognizes five Battalion Awards for OCS staff including Drill Instructor of the Cycle, Corpsman of the Cycle, Instructor of the Cycle, Physical Training Instructor of the Cycle and the Eagle Award.
The Drill Instructor of the Cycle recipients were GySgt Nicholas M Romer from Echo Company, Sgt Paul Bribiesca from Golf Company and SSgt Marvin K Walker from India Company. The Instructor of the Cycle recipient was SSgt Dominic A. Easton. The Physical Training Instructor of the Cycle recipient is Sgt Brett Y. Nelson. The Corpsman of the Cycle recipients were HM2 Jefferey M. Baker from Echo Company, HN Isaac Castellanos from Gold Company and HM2 Amethyst Persechino from India Company.
The Eagle Award is earned by the junior Marine who exemplified esprit de corps and devotion to duty on a daily basis behind the scenes and the recipient is LCpl Philip S. Jimenez.
Member Oorahs!
Louise,
I just wanted to say thanks so much for making sure the uniform got back
to me in time for my commissioning class's photo. It fits me well and I am so excited for commissioning which takes
place in 17 hours! Thank you again!
Very Respectfully,
Colonel Ford, I have to pass this on because I'm in shock that I was able to Connect (on the first Ring), Chat and concluded my business with "Sharon" in less than 30 seconds, at the MCA-Office. I was taken by surprise. Why, I'm Not used to anyone answering the phone especially on the first ring. AND...a human being...a lovely lady with a disarming voice, which at first I thought was a recording. WOW! I commend THE MCA for doing such an outstanding service for its members...make me proud. Just think...I was not asked "if I knew my parties Extension."?
Wish I had a Blog...I would spread around how delighted I am. What transpired to me today is Rare, just doesn't happen anymore. See, I'm so impressed I'm blitzing you here.
S/F
I'm so pleased to see all the great merchandise you are stocking and the awesome promotions. Your store was dissappointing a few years ago and I shopped only at Sgt Grit.
Now, I can find what I am looking for with you guys.
Great job!
My Name is Sergeant Major Juan. M. Hidalgo, Sergeant Major of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) out of Camp Pendleton, CA. Sergeant Major (Ret.) Frank Pulley is one of my mentors and is someone that I have a tremendous amount of respect for. The MCA and SgtMaj Pulley do a phenomenal job in helping us recognize our Marines and Sailors and they continually demonstrate that they are always more than ready to support; anytime...Anyplace! And on behalf of the entire 13th MEU, I thank you very much!
It is ALWAYS a pleasure to work with a consummate professional such as SgtMaj (Ret.) Frank Pulley. As the company 1stSgt for Hotel Company, MCT, SOI (West), I’ve attended a number of his briefs and one can visually see a positive change in the student’s attention levels as the SgtMaj delivers his presentation. The SgtMaj truly cares about the Marines and the Marine Corps and represents the MCA in an extremely admirable manner. It has been my experience that all Marines (including myself) benefit from the experience of attending a MCA presentation. And regardless of rank or years of experience, Marines should always seek to increase their level of proficiency and knowledge and MCA briefs provide us with that opportunity.
Christina,
Thank you for all your help over the phone today. Planning a Marine Corps Ball is a lot of time, energy and work.
Timothy C. Summers
Just a quick note of thanks to Patty Everett. I arrived home from a week vacation to find a package from the Marine Corps Association. I was expecting to find one of the magazines I requested, however, I was pleasantly surprised to discover both magazines were inside. In a time when it seems no one cares about customer satisfaction I am gratified to discover that customer service is not a lost art at the MCA. Once again I thank you for your efforts on my request. It may have been thing but the effort made a huge impression.
Ma’am,
Just wanted to let you know that I got the sword yesterday with time to spare. It showed up unscathed due to the excellent packing job despite the rough postal process. And most importantly it looks great and the Bahraini’s couldn’t be happier! Thanks again for all of your assistance.
R/S
Major Wayne Phelps
3d LAAD Bn XO
Security Force, Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan
Ms. Pappas,
Congratulations. You are more responsive and informative than any other website contact I can recall. I appreciate that very much. It’s really nice to have someone like you at the MCA “front door.”
Sincerely, Alfred
Member saying thanks to our Customer Service Representative, Skylar Hand.
Thank you so much for your help!!! I think you should be commended for your excellent customer service! You were extremely helpful and I was about to get upset about my order but you handled it before I could say anything. You are the best. Thanks again!!!
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