MCA Ground Logistics Awards Dinner - 2005 Award Winners

HEARTFELT THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO MARINE
CORPS WAR-FIGHTING LOGISTICIANS OF THE YEAR

Lieutenant General James F. Amos, the new Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration served as the guest speaker for the 2nd annual Ground Logistics Awards Dinner co-hosted by HQMC Installations and Logistics and the Marine Corps Association. Held at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in northern Virginia on 17 August 2006, the event is conducted annually to honor the increasingly crucial contributions made by ground logisticians, both Marine and civilian to our widely dispersed Marine operating forces. The dinner specifically recognizes the achievements of the USMC officer, enlisted and supporting civilian logisticians of the year as well as the top logistics unit of the year.

The guest speaker was introduced by Lt Gen Kramlich, Deputy Commandant, Installations and Logistics, who noted the increasing importance of logistics by pointing out that both the current Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Magnus and the Commandant “designate”, Lt Gen James Conway  were in the audience to honor the logistics awards recipients.  In his guest speaker introduction, General Kramlich pointed out that there was no one more appropriate to speak in honor of the occasion than Lt Gen Amos.  After a dynamic operational career, spanning command of both 3rd MAW and II MEF, Lt Gen Amos was described as “no more renowned MAGTF officer” and that “no one understands more what logistics brings to the battlefield and to the MAGTF”.

Following thanks to the event hosts and sponsors, Lt Gen Amos offered heartwarming thanks to the award recipients from the perspective of a former MEF commander. Offering some humorous reasons for his new assignment to MCCDC, General Amos indicated that one of his main reasons for being there was that he was “on a mission to thank you” referring to Marines generally and to the Marine Corps logistics community particularly. Referring to the high quality of “on call” support relentlessly provided from MCCDC and Marine logisticians, he pointed out in admiration “…you were there for us.”  He related some revealing anecdotes from his tour as II MEF commander that particularly highlighted recent improvements in supporting and operational capabilities in the logistics community.  Pointing out that in years past, being in a logistics unit meant being “in the rear with the gear”, now, he stated with great feeling that “we have a different kind of loggy force.” One that can be found pushing support right up with the fighters.  He related a story about a Lance Corporal logistics support convoy leader with a PFC manning a .50caliber machine gun ring mount in support. When questioned the Lance Corporal revealed that he had over 120 such missions under his belt and that he was “ready to go”. Young, competent, supporting from the front and imbued with a fighter mentality and tactical orientation, the Marines in the logistics field today maintain incredible equipment readiness rates due to support push mentality and as a benefit of recently well conceived organizational realignment efforts.

In concluding remarks, Lt Gen Amos pointed out that logistics support and related technology was on a positive slope due to the generosity of congress and also due to the vision of many of the Marine logisticians in attendance. 

Following the guest speaker’s remarks, presentations were made to this year’s award recipients by Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Robert Magnus who was assisted by Lt Gen Kramlich.

Major Lee A. Blakely, III 2005 Marine Corps Officer Logistician of the Year with Mr. Chris Dodson, representative of the corporate sponsor for this award, Raytheon.

Staff Sergeant Gabriel Martinez 2005 Marine Corps Enlisted Logistician of the Year with (left to right) Mr. Larry Scheuble, BGen Dick Vercauteren USMC (Ret), and Col John Bouldry USMC (Ret) representatives of the corporate sponsor for this award, Booz / Allen / Hamilton.

Master Sergeant Alred Ferrell, USMC (Ret) 2005 Civilian Logistician of the Year with (left to right) Col Chris Gunther USMC (Ret) and Col Dan O'Brien USMC (Ret) representatives of the corporate sponsor for this award, Battelle.

Exercise Support Division, MAGTFTC, MCAGCC 2005 Logistics Unit of the Year represted by LtCol Geoffery W. Stokes and Mr. Fred Bryant with Mr. James Dubose and Mr Raymond Bolek representatives of the corporate sponsor Deloitte.

Guest Speaker, Lieutenant General James F. Amos, the new Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration.

Closing statement by MajGen Les Palm USMC (Ret), President and CEO of the Marine Corps Association.

All award winners (left to right) Maj Lee A. Blakely, III, MSgt Alfred Ferrell USMC (Ret), LtCol Geoffery W. Stokes and SSgt Gabriel Martinez .

 

• For more information, contact LeeAnn Mitchell at 800-336-0291 ext. 374 or l.mitchell@mca-marines.org.