MCA Ground Dinner - 2006 Award Winner

1st Mar Div Marine of the Year Winner

Sergeant Brian G. Bowman, USMC

Born in Dayton, Ohio in 1980, Sgt Bowman, graduated from Walter E. Stebbins High School in 1998 and joined the Marine Corps following his high school graduation. Attending recruit training at MCRD San Diego, he was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class upon his graduation and subsequently attended the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, California where he was trained as an 0351 Assaultman/Anti-Tank Missleman.

Assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, Sgt Bowman attended additional training courses including, Special Operation Training Group’s Specialized Demolitions and Security Element courses. In 1999, while serving with 1st Bn, 4th Marines, he was promoted to Lance Corporal and then later, meritoriously promoted to Corporal.

In 1999, he deployed with 15th MEU to WESTPAC as a member of the MSPF Security Platoon and as a member of the Dragon Anti Tank Platoon. Following his attendance at the Corporals Leadership Course at Camp Del Mar, he deployed again to WESTPAC with 13th MEU, serving as a squad leader with the Javelin Platoon.

Promoted to Sergeant in 2002, Sgt Bowman was assigned to 1st Marine Division Schools and served as an Anti-Armor instructor. Following his instructor tour, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines in 2005 and deployed with that unit as part of the 31st MEU on the Unit Deployment Program. Later in 2005, Sgt Bowman was recognized as the 1st Marine Division Non Commissioned Officer of the Year.

Sgt Bowman’s awards include, the Navy Commendation Medal, 3 Navy Achievement Medals, and the Good Conduct Medal. Additionally, he has been awarded a Certificate of Commendation a Meritorious Mast and a Letter of Appreciation for meritorious service.

Sgt Bowman is married to the former Marianna Pagone of West Covina, California and has a daughter, Elizabeth Marie. 

2nd Mar Div Marine of the Year Winner

Sergeant Aaron C. Torian, USMC

Born in 1977, in Paducah Kentucky, Sgt Torian lived in various locations in the American Southeast before his family settled in Waldorf, Maryland. Graduating from Thomas Stone High School in 1995, Sgt Torian subsequently attended the University of Tennessee-Martin where he proved a gifted student athlete winning a football scholarship, a 3- year “Letter” in football and numerous athletic awards. Completing course requirements in sports management in May 2000 he worked as an electricians helper in Washington DC and then served in several health and fitness internships in Nashville, Tennessee. Completing his internships in April 2001, he then received his Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Performance with a concentration in Sports Management.

Continuing to pursue his interests in sports management, he attended a graduate school at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee. Serving on the staff of the university’s football program as an assistant defensive line and strength coach, he completed his course requirements in December 2002 and was awarded a Master’s Degree in Instructional Leadership.

In January 2003 while conflicts in the Middle East were escalating, Sgt Torian enlisted in the Marine Corps as an infantryman. Following attendance at recruit training and Infantry Training Battalion, he completed reconnaissance screening and subsequently was assigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. Completing Amphibious Reconnaissance School and S.E.R.E. training, he was then assigned as an Assistant Team Leader.

Meritoriously promoted to Corporal and Sergeant, he was also selected as Battalion NCO of the quarter and Division NCO of the year in 2005. He successfully completed the EMT and Airborne Parachutist courses. Serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sgt Torian was deployed to the troubled Iraqi, Al-Anbar province.

Sgt Torian’s awards include the Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

He is married to his wife, Jurley, and has one son, Elijah.

3rd Mar Div Marine of the Year Winner

Corporal Charles R. Stiles, USMC

Cpl Stiles was born in 1983 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. An avid sports enthusiast, while attending Middleton Area High School, he participated in many varsity sports including, wrestling, football, and track and served as team captain for all three sports from his sophomore to his senior year. Following high school graduation, Cpl Stiles enlisted in the Marine Corps on 10 November 2003 and later attended recruit training at Parris Island. Graduating from recruit training in February 2004, he was selected as the company honor man and won his recruit training series high PFT award.

Subsequently attending Marine Corps Communications School (MCCS) at 29 Palms, California, he completed Data Networking Specialist and Tactical Networking Specialist courses and served as Class Leader for both. Assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion in Okinawa, he deployed with the unit in March 2005 to serve in Iraq on Operation Iraqi Freedom III. While deployed in Iraq, Cpl Stiles served as the Battalion network administrator, responsible for successfully networking over 100 computers and associated accessories in a difficult climate and area.

Providing exemplary service during his deployment, Cpl Stiles received a combat meritorious promotion in June 2005 to the rank of Lance Corporal and was selected as Marine of the Quarter by 3d Recon Battalion.

In addition to the communications related courses addressed above, he also successfully attended S.E.R.E. course, Basic Airborne School, and has completed the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and Green Belt Instructors Course.

Cpl Stiles’ awards include, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal. Additionally, he was awarded a Meritorious Mast, a Certificate of Appreciation, three Certificates of Commendation and two Letters of Appreciation.

4th Mar Div Marine of the Year Winner

Sergeant Ryan W. Matjeka, USMC

Born in 1984 in San Antonio, Texas, Sgt Matjeka attended Smithson Valley High School in San Antonio and enlisted in the Marine Corps following his graduation. Attending recruit training at MCRD San Diego, California, he subsequently reported to the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, and became a basic 0311 rifleman upon graduation.

In January 2003, he reported to the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion stationed at San Antonio, Texas and entered the Reconnaissance Marines Awaiting Training (RMAT) Program and subsequently attended the Amphibious Reconnaissance School (ARS) at Coronado, California. Attending more advanced reconnaissance training, he later graduated from Basic Airborne and Basic Reconnaissance courses and was awarded the military occupational specialty of 0321 – Reconnaissance Marine.

Reporting for duty to Company C, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, in January 2005, Sgt Matjeka was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II and served as a gunner for 2nd Team, 3rd Platoon, Echo Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion deployed to Al-Anbar province. While serving in Al-Anbar, he participated in over 150 combat patrols, experiencing numerous contacts and combat engagements.

Since returning from deployment, Sgt Matjeka, joined the instructor staff cadre for the RMAT program and now provides seasoned instruction to new reconnaissance Marines in San Antonio.

Sgt Matjeka was meritoriously promoted to his present rank. His awards include the Navy Commendation medal, Navy Achievement Medal with Combat “V”, Combat Action Ribbon, , National Defense Service Medal, Selected Marine Corps Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.