The Marine Corps Association & Foundation believes in recognizing Marines. The Marines in the gallery above have put forth their best effort not for the award but because they are Marines. Each year the organization gives awards to almost 11,000 Marines and distributes about 97 percent of all awards throughout the Corps.

The Marine Corps Association & Foundation presented four awards to honor graduates from The Basic School during the Alpha Company graduation at Marine Corps Base Quantico Little Hall on Wednesday, May 29.

MCA&F sponsors the honor graduate awards for each TBS Company, as well as awards for many enlisted and officer training schools.

Congratulations to 2d Lt Brandon T. Sims, recipient of the 1st Lt Baldomero Lopez Honor Graduate Award, 2d Lt Kenton M. Comstock, recipient of the Gen John A. Lejeune Leadership Award, 2d Lt Kory F. Hasenoehrl, recipient of the Col William B. Lemly Academic Award, and 2d Lt Connor O’ Sullivan, recipient of the Military Skills Award.

“Our goal is to provide the incentive for Marines to do well in their professional military education,” said Col John Keenan, USMC (Ret), editor of the Marine Corps Gazette. “And then to recognize them when they do well.”

The TBS honor graduate awards are presented through the MCA&F Marine Excellence Awards program. Each year MCA&F gives awards to recognize more than 9,000 deserving Marines and provides about 97 percent of all awards distributed in the Corps outside the USMC awards system. The program offers tangible recognition of professional accomplishments and recognizes the honor graduates throughout the Marine Corps officer and enlisted formal schools.

1stLt Baldomero Lopez Honor Graduate Award - 2dLt Brandon T. Sims

2dLt Brandon T. Sims, the recipient of the 1stLt Baldomero Lopez Honor Graduate Award, is pictured with Marine Corps Gazette Editor Col John Keenan, USMC (Ret) at right and Commanding Officer of The Basic School Col Todd S. Desgrosseilliers at left. Sims is from a Centennial, Colo. and will be an infantry officer.
Photo Credit by Ron Lunn.

Military Skills Award - 2d Lt Connor O’ Sullivan

2d Lt Connor O’ Sullivan, the recipient of the Military Skills Award, is pictured with Marine Corps Gazette Editor Col John Keenan, USMC (Ret) at right and Commanding Officer of The Basic School Col Todd S. Desgrosseilliers at left. O'Sullivan will be an infantry officer.
Photo Credit by Ron Lunn.

General John A. Lejeune Leadership Award - 2d Lt Kenton M. Comstock

2d Lt Kenton M. Comstock, the recipient of the General John A. Lejeune Leadership Award, is pictured with Marine Corps Gazette Editor Col John Keenan, USMC (Ret) at right and Commanding Officer of The Basic School Col Todd S. Desgrosseilliers at left. Comstock is from Sunbury, Ohio and will be a Tank Officer.
Photo Credit by Ron Lunn.

Col William B. Lemly Academic Award - 2d Lt Kory F. Hasenoehrl

2d Lt Kory F. Hasenoehrl, the recipient of the Col William B. Lemly Academic Award, is pictured with Marine Corps Gazette Editor Col John Keenan, USMC (Ret) at right and Commanding Officer of The Basic School Col Todd S. Desgrosseilliers at left. Hasenoehrl is from Flagstaff, Ariz., and was a Bulk Fuel Specialist in the reserves before becoming a Lieutenant. He was also a previous MCA&F honor grad award recipient at the Bulk Fuel School.
Photo Credit by Ron Lunn.

June 18, 2013: Jack Wasek wants to be an Eagle Scout because he saw the rank as a challenge he wanted to achieve.

“There are very few scouts who reach the rank of Eagle,” said Wasek. “There’s a sense of honor and pride when you have achieved it.”

To become an Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts have to earn a total of 21 merit badges, hold a leadership position for six months in their Troop, demonstrate Scout values in their every day lives, and complete a service project that benefits the community.

Wasek got the idea for his service project while touring Marine Raider Hall on Marines Corps Base Quantico. The Hall serves as the Headquarters for the Marine Corps’ Martial Arts Center of Excellence and as a museum dedicated to honoring the Marine Raiders of WWII.

When Wasek saw the state of the fence outside the building, it was in disarray and partially laying on the ground. He knew he wanted to rebuild it because he had fallen in love with the museum and its history.

“It’s definitely something I care about, giving back to the community of the Marine Corps, and I just thought it would be a neat project to do,” Wasek said.

Before he could start reconstructing the fence, he had to find funding. Wasek asked multiple organizations in the Quantico area to donate; however, he was starting to feel discouraged when no one returned his calls.

While walking around Quantico, Wasek found himself in The MARINE Shop. The store’s staff directed him to Marine Corps Association & Foundation’s headquarters around the corner.

“I walked into the building, and went up to Major General Usher’s office... and, thankfully, he thought it was a good project and decided to help fund it,” Wasek said.

After talking with Wasek, MCA&F decided to fund his whole project.

“The project was something we’d be interested in because it fit right along with what we do,” said Usher.

MCA&F works to advance leadership and recognize excellence throughout the Corps including numerous programs that help accomplish their mission to inspire, connect, and support Marines while also supporting the rich traditions and history of the Corps.

The project took over 200 man-hours and three phases to complete. Wasek was in charge of everything, from the planning down to finding the people to do the labor. However, he did have help from his family, fellow Troop 121 Scouts, and Marines from the Martial Arts Center.

“The most challenging part of the project was the planning and getting all the details approved,” Wasek said.

LtCol Joseph Shusko, the director of the Martial Arts Center of Excellence, believes the fence is a huge improvement.

“We had plastic stanchions that would fall over when the wind blew, and now it looks very professional,” Shusko said. “I love the way it looks.”

The final touch, a fresh coat of paint, will be completed by the end of July.

Wasek, whose father retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Corps, hopes to become an Infantry Officer in the future.

“Being in the military environment, seeing all the things my dad did, and the general attitude of all Marines made me realize that’s what I want to do with my life,” Wasek said.

Date Posted July 8, 2013: The Marine Corps Association & Foundation recognized quarterly awardees including NCOs of the Year and Marines of the Year for Combat Logistics Regiment 2. 

All recipients received a certificate of achievement, a complimentary membership to the Marine Corps Association, a congratulatory letter, and a book from the Commandant of the Marine Corps Reading List.

The honors are part of MCA&F's Marine Excellence Awards Program, which recognizes more than 9,700 Marines each year and provides 97 percent of all awards distributed outside the USMC system. MCA&F is dedicated to recognizing professional achievement and excellence of Marines around the world.  All photos taken by Lance Corporal William M. Kresse, CLR-2 Combat Camera

PFC W. C. Kuegel, center, is the recipient of the "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award and is pictured with his family and Colonel Robert W. Jones, right, Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Regiment.
Photo credit by Cpl Rodion Zabolotniy.

"Chesty" Puller's legacy of leadership continues to inspire today's generations of new Marine recruits.

The Marine Corps Association & Foundation provides the "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award for each graduating company at the Parris Island and San Diego Recruit Depots.

PFC W. C. Kuegel was recognized with the award at the June 7, 2013, Mike Company graduation for 3d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Keugel was also awarded with the Company High Shooter Award for rifle marksmanship.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award is presented to the Marine of each graduating company who demonstrated the highest potential for future leadership and responsibility in the Marine Corps. Approximately 90 recruit training companies graduate each year and one recruit honor graduate is selected from each company.

LtGen Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller was one of the most decorated U.S. Marines in history, and is the only Marine to be awarded five Navy Crosses. He received the nation's second highest military decoration a total of six times, and in addition to the five Navy Crosses he was also awarded the United States Army Distinguished Service Cross.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award, other honor graduate awards and awards for all the Marine Corps' formal schools are presented through the MCA&F Marine Excellence Awards Program. Each year MCA&F gives awards to recognize nearly 9,000 deserving Marines and provides about 97 percent of all awards distributed in the Corps outside the USMC awards system.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award.
Photo credit by Ron Lunn

Echo Company Drill Instructor GySgt Rupert Palmer said he likes to instill three characteristics in the officer candidates he teaches: confidence, swag, and hardness.

“Those three traits are what differentiate between a successful mission or a mission of failure,” Palmer said.

Thirteen Marines and Palmer were presented with awards supported by the Marine Corps Association & Foundation at the Officer Candidate School graduation ceremony July 6, 2013, at Marine Corps Base Quantico.

“Being an instructor is very interesting,” Palmer said. “You get to see more of the candidates because they are out there in the leadership positions.”

Palmer and two other Marines were chosen for the Drill Instructor of the Cycle Award. The award is presented to instructors for their outstanding performance while training officer candidates.

“It was an honor to be chosen,” said SSgt Rachel Carmichael, India Company’s D.I. of the Cycle Award recipient. “I am humbled that my performance was seen as worthy enough, so I really appreciate it.”

The Officer Candidate School at Quantico has been teaching Marines how to be leaders since 1917.

“Being an instructor is definitely interesting,” said SSgt Charlie Coulter, Golf Company’s D.I. of the Cycle Award recipient. “The candidates show up as one of the best students in their class back home, but once you put them in a stressful environment they start to lose their mind. You have to build them back up.”

BGen David J. Furness spoke during the graduation ceremony. He gave the candidates three tips to keep with them throughout their military careers.

Number one: “You have to know your stuff,” Furness said.

Candidate Jacob B. Sparkman, Echo Company, was preparing for OCS a year before, and his dedication paid off. He had the highest overall average and was presented with the Honor Graduate Award.

Sparkman’s company also chose him for the Gung-Ho Award, which is given to the candidate whose peers thought showed the most motivation during training.

“I tried to keep everyone motivated,” said Sparkman. “Especially on the humps. It’s a lot easier to do when you have fun with it.”

Number two: “You need to take care of one another,” Furness said.

Candidates Andrew W. Townsend, Golf Company, and Christopher A. Grimes, India Company, were also chosen for the Gung-Ho Award. They made it their personal project to keep up their company’s morale.

“I am very honored to be chosen for the award,” said Townsend. “Especially from the platoon I was in. It was full of studs, and to have them recognize me was very humbling.”

Number three: “You need to enjoy being a Marine,” Furness said.

Candidate Theresa Hencsie, India Company, is a LCpl reservist who wanted to take her service to the next level by becoming an officer, but her enlisted background made her transition a little difficult.

“The evaluation is something you have to get use to,” said Hencsie. “You have to know what to do when you are directing your peers.”

Hencsie was presented with the Physical Fitness Award for having a physical training average of 99.04 percent– the highest out of her company.

OCS is the first step candidates take on their path to becoming an officer. The 410 candidates that graduated will continue working on their college degrees before they return to Quantico to attend The Basic School.

“Your time at OCS has transformed you from an American into someone worthy of leading United States Marines,” Furness said.

The awards were provided through MCA&F’s Marine Excellence Awards Program, which provides Marines with the incentive to do well in their professional military education and career. Last year, MCA&F distributed 10,988 awards in recognition of superior achievement.

The Basic School’s Delta Company attended a social gathering sponsored by the Marine Corps Association & Foundation in the new Hawkins Room at Quantico on July 8, 2013.

MCA&F provides appetizers and beverages for each new TBS Company in order to promote camaraderie among the lieutenants and presents a mission brief to explain how the association can help their future Marines.

Marine Corps Gazette Editor, Colonel John Keenan, USMC (Ret), and MCA&F Quantico Area Representative, SgtMaj Kevin Bennett, USMC (Ret), also briefed the lieutenants about the benefits of being a MCA&F member, including The Commanders’ Unit Library Program, magazine subscriptions to Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette, and uniform discounts at The MARINE Shop.

2dLt John Gayton renewed his membership at the social. He said he originally signed up with the organization for the uniform discounts, but he is now a member because it helps him keep up with what is going on in the Corps.

“Gazette has the most amount of current events and historical articles,” said Gayton. “There is always something you can learn.”

MCA&F offered books from the Commandant’s Reading List as an incentive for the lieutenants to sign up as members and to help them with their professional military education.

2dLt Jeremiah Pearse has read four of the books from the reading list, and when he renewed his membership he took two more books with him.

“I’m a big reader,” said Pearse. “I think it is a sad day when people think there is nothing left to learn.”

At the social, two books from the reading list were raffled off. 2dLT Andrew Donaghy won “Give Me Tomorrow” by Patrick K. O’Donnell, which is about Marines fighting in the Chosin Reservoir in Korea. 2dLt Colt Marcyan won “My Men Are My Heroes” by Nathaniel R. Helms is about Navy Cross recipient 1stSgt Brad Kasal’s heroic actions at the Battle of Fallujah.

Marcyan said he hopes for a position as a combat engineer and that he enjoys reading both magazines.

“They are a good source on how past leaders have looked at things,” Marcyan said.

MCA&F sponsors the awards for each TBS Company graduation through their Marine Excellence Awards Program, which provides Marines with professional recognition and the incentive to do well in their professional military education and career. Last year, MCA&F distributed 10,988 awards in recognition of superior achievement.

Photos by Jessica Koers

A Marine drove two hours to Quantico hoping he could get his enlisted blue dress coat tailored to fit him by the end of the day.

“The coat was so small on him,” said Pat Van Zummeren, the general manager for The Marine Shop. “It was almost impossible to make it fit him, but the tailors took it out.”

The Marine had come into the store at one o’ clock and was gone by five with a perfectly fitting coat.

The MARINE Shoptailors have over 50 combined years of experience and believe in taking care of their customers.

“We take an interest in each of our customers,” said Van Zummeren. “We do what we can to get what they need done.”

Major Harry Elms founded The MARINE Shop in 1962. He was a member of the Marine Corps Uniform Board and had decided there needed to be a choice for Marines when it came to purchasing uniforms other than the PX.

“He just wanted people to be able to have a choice … he just felt like he could provide a better quality uniform,” Van Zummeren said.

The quality and craftsmanship of the uniforms have impressed even the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

“We started with the Commandant as a 2ndLt, and now he is the Commandant of the Marine Corps … we’ve done his uniforms the whole time,” Van Zummeren said.

Van Zummeren has been with The MARINE Shop on and off since 1985. She started working in the mail order department while her husband attended Expeditionary Warfare School.

“Her blood inside is Marine Shop blood,” said Lynn Khanna, the retail director.

Her years of experience with the store give her a detailed knowledge about the smallest tasks that need to happen to keep the shop in working order.

“You have to be able to know so many things in order to be able to run the store effectively,” said Van Zummeren. “There are a lot of things that depend on each other.”

The MARINE Shop has two physical store locations: Quantico and Camp Lejeune. Camp Lejeune does not offer all uniform items or an in-house tailoring service, but Marines can order uniforms and memorabilia online and get it shipped anywhere in the world.

The biggest challenge that comes with the online retail store is trying to accommodate customers.

“If a customer has a problem it is taken care of immediately,” Khanna said. “Our philosophy is that the customer is right, no matter what.”

A new addition to the shop this year is an online uniform catalog that will be available towards the end of the year.

“We will have a 30 page catalog with the items you can get at The MARINE Shop,” Khanna said.

Customers can scroll through the catalogs digitally, click on any item they want, and put it in their shopping cart.

“It will be easier because all the uniform items will be in one place,” Khanna said.

Shopping at The MARINE Shop, whether for uniforms, memorabilia, or books, guarantees a quality product that also helps fund the Marine Corps Association & Foundation’s numerous programs that inspire, connect, and support Marines.

"Chesty" Puller's legacy of leadership continues to inspire today's generations of new Marine recruits.

The Marine Corps Association & Foundation provides the "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award for each graduating company at the Parris Island and San Diego Recruit Depots. PFC Dakota Johnson, from Metro South, Co., was recognized with the award at the June 28, 2013, Kilo Company graduation for 3d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award is presented to the Marine of each graduating company who demonstrated the highest potential for future leadership and responsibility in the Marine Corps. Approximately 90 recruit training companies graduate each year and one recruit honor graduate is selected from each company.

LtGen Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller was one of the most decorated U.S. Marines in history, and is the only Marine to be awarded five Navy Crosses. He received the nation's second highest military decoration a total of six times, and in addition to the five Navy Crosses he was also awarded the United States Army Distinguished Service Cross.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award, other honor graduate awards and awards for all the Marine Corps' formal schools are presented through the MCA&F Marine Excellence Awards Program. Each year MCA&F gives awards to recognize nearly 9,000 deserving Marines and provides about 97 percent of all awards distributed in the Corps outside the USMC awards system.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award.
(Photo by Ron Lunn.)

The top graduates from The Basic School’s Bravo Company gathered at a breakfast 23 July, 2013, that was hosted in their honor by the Marine Corps Association & Foundation to congratulate them on their professional achievements.

During the breakfast MajGen Ed Usher, USMC (Ret), the president of MCA&F, addressed the awardees.

“I wanted to extend my appreciation for all of you stepping forward,” said Usher. “To say you want to lead Marines is a big commitment … most people wouldn’t want to take one step forward in the direction you are taking.”

There are four awardees from this round of graduates: 2dLt Christopher M. Oneil, recipient of the 1stLt Baldomero Lopez Honor Graduate Award; 2dLt Michael C. Choate, recipient of the Gen John A. Lejeune Leadership Award; 2dLt Amado Nieto Jr., recipient of the Col William B. Lemly Academic Award; and 2dLt Victor Ray III, recipient of the Military Skills Award.

2dLt Choate has a history of leading Marines. He initially enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2004 and was later a drill instructor for new recruits.

“I taught them how to be solid, ethical warriors and discipline,” Choate said.

He had left behind a full scholarship to join the Corps because he wanted to be a part of the best service and to follow in his brother’s footsteps.

“I was attracted to the professionalism and ethical warrior of concept of the Corps,” Choate said. “A Marine can be a gentleman and be called on to smash the enemy at the same time.”

2dLt Oneil left behind his career as an accountant to become a naval aviator. He grew up flying with his dad who was a civilian pilot.

“Once I started to get my feet wet with the Corps, I decided to fly with them,” Oneil said.

Oneil said he was drawn to the Marine Corps because of the sense of tradition the branch has and that it seemed like the most rigorous path to take.

The awards the lieutenants earned are given through MCA&F’s Marine Excellence Awards Programand will be formally presented to the Marines at the graduation ceremony 24 July, 2013. Last year, MCA&F distributed 10,988 awards in recognition of superior achievement.

Member Salute is a series of brief profiles describing the diverse Marine Corps Association & Foundation members from around the world.

Bruce Sellers attends the Marine Corps Association & Foundation dinners and award ceremonies on behalf of his company Oshkosh Defense. Sellers works in business development and Oshkosh has been a medium and heavy supplier for the Corps for two decades.



Oshkosh has been a committed corporate sponsor of the dinners and of various awards. Sellers said the dinners are important to attend because it helps the company stay current on the kinds of equipment the Corps needs developed

.

“(The events) give us great access to the key people in the Marine Corps, the decision- makers,” Sellers said. “It’s important we stay connected to the leadership so we know what types of things they want.”

Sellers attends about half a dozen Marine Corps Association & Foundation events each year. He said he always makes new acquaintances.



“This is key access to the leadership and it would be hard to meet them in any other way,” he said.

MCA&F wants to thank Panasonic for donating four Panasonic Toughbook rugged laptops and to Manuel Carazo, MCA&F member, who donated four printers to the Wounded Warrior Regiment’s Transition Center July 24, 2013.

These donations will enable wounded Marines to type cover letters and resumes during their job search.

MCA&F has a large membership base around the globe who are directly involved in supporting today’s Marines through membership dues, MCAF donations and retail purchases.  And now we are able to claim an affiliation with ASOCIACION NACIONAL DE VETERANOS DEL REAL Y GLORIOSO CUERPO DE INFANTERIA DE MARINA DE LA ARMADA "1537" (AVIME "1537"),also known as The Spanish Marine Corps Association located in Madrid, Asturias, Valencia, Barcelona and Cadiz, Spain. 

The organization has been in existence for three years and, similar to MCA&F, their mission is to promote and support active and veteran Spanish Marines.  Some of their programs include:

• Boot Camp for future Marines during the summer for 15 days, to promote the Infanteria de Marina (Spanish Marine Corps).
• Conferences to explain to civilians the role of the Infanteria de Marina in today’s world.
• Participate, help and collaborate in all Infanteria de Marina official events.

The relationship was initiated by discussions with MCA&F member Manuel Carazo. MCA&F looks forward to working in concert with AVIME “1537” as both organizations continue to inspire, connect with, and support Marines.

LCpl Conor Borak, center, is the recipient of the "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award and is pictured with his Senior Drill Instructor Sgt Jeremiah Chambers, left, and his recruiter Sgt Philip Peterson, right.
Photo by LCpl Hayden K. Howard-Browne

"Chesty" Puller's legacy of leadership continues to inspire today's generations of new Marine recruits.

The Marine Corps Association & Foundation provides the "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award for each graduating company at the Parris Island and San Diego Recruit Depots.

LCpl Conor Borak, from Oklahoma City, Ok., was recognized with the award at the July 12, 2013, Fox Company graduation for 2d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award is presented to the Marine of each graduating company who demonstrated the highest potential for future leadership and responsibility in the Marine Corps. Approximately 90 recruit training companies graduate each year and one recruit honor graduate is selected from each company.

LtGen Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller was one of the most decorated U.S. Marines in history, and is the only Marine to be awarded five Navy Crosses. He received the nation's second highest military decoration a total of six times, and in addition to the five Navy Crosses he was also awarded the United States Army Distinguished Service Cross.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award, other honor graduate awards and awards for all the Marine Corps' formal schools are presented through the MCA&F Marine Excellence Awards Program. Each year MCA&F gives awards to recognize nearly 9,000 deserving Marines and provides about 97 percent of all awards distributed in the Corps outside the USMC awards system.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award.
(Photo by Ron Lunn.)

Four awards sponsored by the Marine Corps Association & Foundation were presented to The Basic School’s Bravo Company top graduates at Little Hall on Marine Corps Base Quantico July 24, 2013.

Congratulations to 2dLt Christopher M. Oneil, recipient of the 1stLt Baldomero Lopez Honor Graduate Award, 2dLt Michael C. Choate, recipient of the LtGen John A. Lejeune Leadership Award, 2dLt Amado Nieto Jr., recipient of the Col William B. Lemly Academic Award, and 2dLt Victor Ray III, recipient of the Military Skills Award.

MCA&F sponsors the awards for each TBS Company, as well as the superior performance awards for many other enlisted and officer training schools.

The awards the lieutenants earned are given through MCA&F’s Marine Excellence Awards Program. MCA&F gives awards in order to recognize the professional accomplishments of deserving Marines throughout the Corps. MCA&F also provides 97 percent of awards outside the USMC awards system, and MCA&F distributed over 11,000 awards in recognition of superior achievement last year.

Member Salute is a series of brief profiles describing the diverse Marine Corps Association & Foundation members from around the world.

Col David W. “Dewey” Mauldin, USMC (Ret) has been a member of the Marine Corps Association & Foundation for 35 years. He ensures he attends a majority of MCA&F’s award and professional dinners throughout the year because he is first and foremost a Marine and needs to stay embedded with culture and current events.

“The Marine Corps Association & Foundation does a good job of bringing us all together to see old friends, meet people and talk about old times, but to also talk about what’s going on today,” Mauldin said.

Mauldin was in the Marine Corps for 32 years. He first enlisted and when he made corporal, he decided to attend the College of Charleston and become an infantry officer. In 1986, he was the recipient of the Lt Col William G. Leftwich, Jr. Trophy for Outstanding Leadership. MCA&F sponsors the award, which is presented to a captain each year for excellence in leadership.

He retired as a Colonel in 2006 and is now the Vice President of Marine Corps Systems with the Boeing Company.

“In my job, I have to stay current with what’s going on in the Marine Corps, and (MCA&F dinners) help me to do that because I can talk to active-duty Marines,” Mauldin said. “Every Marine should be a member of the Marine Corps Association because it’s actually our professional organization and it’s a way to stay current, stay informed and a way to share experience socially as well as professionally.”

PFC Cole S. Wooten, center, is the recipient of the "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award and is pictured with his Senior Drill Instructor SSgt Jonathan A. Arellano, left, and his recruiter Sgt Jonathan A. Maltez, right. Photo credit by GySgt Rome M. Lazarus.

"Chesty" Puller's legacy of leadership continues to inspire today's generations of new Marine recruits.

The Marine Corps Association & Foundation provides the "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award for each graduating company at the Parris Island and San Diego Recruit Depots.

PFC Cole S. Wooten, from McCloud, Calif., was recognized with the award at the June 14, 2013 G Company graduation for 2d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award is presented to the Marine of each graduating company who demonstrated the highest potential for future leadership and responsibility in the Marine Corps. Approximately 90 recruit training companies graduate each year and one recruit honor graduate is selected from each company.

LtGen Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller was one of the most decorated U.S. Marines in history, and is the only Marine to be awarded five Navy Crosses. He received the nation's second highest military decoration a total of six times. In addition to the five Navy Crosses, he was also awarded the United States Army Distinguished Service Cross.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award, other honor graduate awards and awards for all the Marine Corps' formal schools are presented through the MCA&F Marine Excellence Awards Program. Each year MCA&F gives awards to recognize nearly 9,000 deserving Marines and provides about 97 percent of all awards distributed in the Corps outside the USMC awards system.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award.
(Photo by Ron Lunn.)

Colonel Dick Camp, USMC (Ret.) will be at the The MARINE Shop at Marine Corps Base Quantico for a book signing Aug. 16, 2013, from 11:00 a.m. to 13:30 p.m.

Camp, an author and historian, will be talking to guests and signing copies of his books "Phantom Fury" and "Shadow Warriors."

The book "Phantom Fury" recounts the Marines' operation in 2004 for the second battle in Fallujah. Camp provides a historical account of one the Marines’ hardest fights since the Vietnam-era and one of the greatest urban battle Marines fought since the 1968 Battle for Hue City. Click here to see Leatherneck magazine's full book review of "Phantom Fury."

"Shadow Warriors" chronicles many secretive World War II battles that have only recently been declassified. Camp describes these events in great detail from both the European and Pacific theaters. Camp also provides in-depth background on how today's special operation groups were first formed during that time period.

Congratulations to Lt Col Jeffery J. Tlapa, winner of the 2013 Lt Col Earl “Pete” Ellis Essay Contest for his article “Putting the Landing Force in Air Sea Battle.”

Click here to read the the Article