MCA&F Awards OCS Staff, Candidates for Performance
Competition drives success.
It’s a point Marine Candidate Luke Boyd has seen in action as the Honor Graduate at Officer Candidate School at MCB Quantico.
Although he trained hard to earn his three awards during the 10-week school, he credits his motivation to the high achievements of his fellow candidates in 2nd platoon, Company C.
“It was a great feeling,” Boyd said of being recognized for the three awards. “The platoon is very competitive and we have a lot of support and cohesion. (The award) is a testament to them, but I’m also honored to be in that position.”
The Marine Corps Association & Foundation sponsors the three awards Boyd earned through the association’s Marine Excellence Awards Program. Each year MCA&F gives awards to more than 10,000 deserving Marines and is the largest contributor of awards given to Marines.
MCA&F Quantico Area Representative SgtMaj Kevin S. Bennett, USMC (Ret) presented the awards during Charlie Company’s graduation ceremony on Friday, 10 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.
Candidate Boyd received the Marine Corps Association & Foundation Honor Graduate Award as the candidate with the highest leadership average, 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.
Company Gunnery Sergeant Spangler said Boyd’s “enthusiasm, initiative and go-after-it-drive” helped propel him to the top grad spot in a company of very successful candidates.
“He’s an outstanding candidate and very knowledgeable,” Spangler said. “He is very motivated and very enthusiastic about being a Marine first and then being a lieutenant.”
MCA&F also sponsors the “Gung-Ho Award” for each graduating OCS class, which is voted on by peers for the Candidate who shows the most motivation during training. Bennett presented Candidate Jergen Campbell with the “Gung-Ho Award” during Friday’s ceremony.
Spangler calls Campbell a “go-getter” with “initiative through the roof.”
In addition to the four 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.
SSgt Joseph D. Whetstine, the recipient of the Drill Instructor of the Cycle was awarded for his outstanding performance while training Officer Candidates.
“His enthusiasm is day in and day out and he enjoys his job,” Spangler said. “He displays a lot of heart and he puts everything he has into what he does as a drill instructor.”
The other staff award recipients were HM2 Rolando J. Brooks as Corpsman of the Cycle, Capt Robert G. Gibson for academic Instructor of the Cycle, Sgt Justin R. Kelley as Physical Training Instructor of the Cycle and Sgt Raymond P. Woitowicz of the Training & Support Platoon who exemplified esprit de corps and devotion to duty on a daily basis behind the scenes in order to be honored for the Eagle Award.
Member Oorahs!
I want to relay my many thanks to everyone at Marine Corps Association and Military Historical Tours for providing me the opportunity to experience such a wonderful trip to Russia. Had I not won this trip through MCA I may have never taken advantage of such fantastic travels. The group, the Russian Tour guide (Oleg Alexandrov) and Charlie Dunn were wonderful companions during the trip. It will be a memory I will cherish all of my remaing days on this earth.
Again, Many thanks and Semper Fidelis!
I received my blouse last Friday and want to thank you for your efforts
in getting things done. Also, please thank the tailors involved in
making everything right and please give my sincere thanks to those who
made the decision to make the necessary corrections at no charge to me.
That in itself says a lot about your organization. The blouse fits
like a glove and actually looks and feels like new.
Thank you and all the staff who had a hand in correcting a problem and making an old man happy. Semper Fi
Sincerely,
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!!!
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!
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.
I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone at the association for sponsoring the Ground Awards Dinner on 3 June at the Crystal City Marriott. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were tremendously pleased with the hospitality shown to us and the great accommodations. As well, I wanted to thank the association for the DVD of the event that was mailed to me. It is something that I will keep and treasure for the rest of my days. Again, thanks for everything.
Semper Fidelis!
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
Thanks for the email; I purchased the two Marine Corps. Cups for my brother who served with the First Marine Div. in Vietnam . He was very pleased with the cups and I was very impressed with the purchase. The online catalog did not do the product the justice it deserved. Thanks again and I am sure you will hear from me in the future.
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
You have been the easiest person I have ever dealt with since I have started MWR out here. You were very quick to respond to my every question and very knowledgeable about your work for an order over a phone that was my greatest experience. If you were in the Marine Corps Skylar I would write you up for a meritorious promotion. I will surely write it in my books to pass the word to the next MWR rep to continue the membership with you guys.
Sgt Richard Colmenarez
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