Sgt. Grit Community

It is the Marine Corps' policy to recognize meritorious  achievements and superlative performances by awarding  meritorious masts, letters of appreciation and accelerated  promotions. According to Combat Development Command Order  1650.2D, it is also recommended to periodically single out  individual Marines whose performance of duty and standards of  proficiency exceed that generally expected of all Marines.   Two remarkable Marines and one just as impressive sailor were  awarded as the Marine Corps Installations East 2010 Marine of  the Year, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Sailor of the  Year during the annual MCIEAST breakfast at the Ball Center  aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Jan. 20.   Cpl. Jesse Parke, representing Headquarters and Headquarters  Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Beufort, Sgt. Avery  Washington II, of MCAS Cherry Point and Petty Officer 1st Class  Julian Esteban, from MCAS Cherry Point, were recognized for  their exceptional performances in a competition against  thousands of others in the region.    These motivated, dedicated, modern-day warriors were also  awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, in addition  to about a dozen of gifts; including fine jewelry, engraved  plaques and Ka-Bars and statuettes, most presented by civilian  business leaders in the community.   John Reed, executive director of Mainstream Productions and host  of the annual breakfast and awards ceremony, asked the Marines  to consider making their service in the military into a career.   "All services need people like you," said Reed. "Someday, 10, 15  or 20 years down the road when you finally get out of the  service, it's not the medal that they will remember; it's the  respect, the admiration, the feeling of self worth and knowing  that you did a great job."   Maj. Gen. Carl B. Jensen, commanding general of MCIEAST, and  Sgt. Maj. Robert VanOostrom, sergeant major of MCIEAST,  presented the medals to the Marines; however, Esteban was not  able to attend the ceremony due to his selection process for  picking up the rank of chief petty officer.   "That honor that you have lavished upon the naval services here  is reflected back upon you sevenfold," said Jensen. "We are  absolutely mindful every day that when we come to work we live  surrounded by the greatest community in the United States, in  the most military friendly state. This is as good as it gets."   Following the ceremony, Washington found it hard to come up with  words to describe his excitement.   "It's a good feeling, I don't know how to describe it," said  Washington. "I remember being in (military occupational  specialty) school and wondering what this would be like. My  first year in the Marine Corps I was in a non-deployable unit,  and I was kind of disappointed, thinking ‘this is not what I  signed up for.' But I made the most of it and it teaches you  what you can do when you go all-out. It teaches that you can  achieve something no matter where you're at. I really appreciate  the opportunity and I've learned a lot in the process."   In Esteban's stead, his staff noncommissioned officer, Master  Sgt. Scott Thome, spoke a few words about his work ethic and  character.   "One of his great characteristics is that he is a great leader,"  said Thome. "He looks for leadership challenges and as his  (staff NCOIC), he has constantly come to me and asked ‘what can  I do to make things better' or he bring me ideas to make things  better for the sailors and Marines that work under him. He won  this for a reason and he shows it at work every day."   Parke, who was recently promoted to the rank of corporal, said  that becoming the Marine of the Year for MCIEAST was something  he had never expected.   "Two years ago, I was going through recruit training and I saw  one of these same awards sitting on my senior drill instructors'  desk," said Parke. "It was just something I never thought would  be possible and I think that says a lot about the caliber of  Marines we have today. One of the best feelings is the  motivation that comes with it. It was (my drill instructors)  giving me knowledge, physical training and facts about uniforms,  and even if I didn't like it, it was something I had to do.  Without knowing, I became a better Marine and a better person.  (To win this award) shows they really do notice hard work and  it's great to see that first hand."