Marines, Sailors Honored at the Oceanside Chamber’s Annual Enlisted Recognition Reception

Oceanside CA— Thursday night, thirty-six Marines and Sailors were honored at the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce ‘Annual Enlisted Recognition Reception’ held at the Veterans Association of North County. The Oceanside Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee created the Enlisted Recognition Program in 2001 as a way for the business community to recognize the excellence of the local enlisted personnel.

“This is something special,” said Colonel John R Polidoro, Jr. Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Support Battalion. “I don’t know of many local communities that will take the time and the effort to organize an event to recognize the Marines at a local base. It signifies the absolutely phenomenal relationship that Camp Pendleton has with Oceanside. The recognition we have here tonight is for the enlisted man who really get things done. Who make the Marine Corps work.”

Congressman Darrell Issa, who was the Guest Speaker for the night, said “The greatest fighting forces on Earth are ones where each does the job they need to do but ultimately, the tip of the spear is the young recruit, the young soldier or sailor or Marine. Behind them, a seasoned NCO and usually well behind them, a motivated officer depending on those people to save all of their lives and get the job done. For somebody who has very little military experience, I only did 10 years, I appreciate, especially in the last 16 years, what I’ve been honored to see. Navy corpsmen and brave Marines in Afghanistan and Iraq doing their job in a way that no other fighting force on Earth could do.”

Along with the awardees listed below, three finalist for Spouse of the Year; Leigh Thoman, Suzan Simon and Toni Stinson were honored with Suzan Simon announced as the overall winner.

2017 Awardees

Medical Expeditionary Medical Training Institute

HM3 Marcus Schofield-Blue Jacket of the Year
BU2 Corey Roberts-Sailor of the Year
SH1 Quinton Lewis-Sailor of the Year

Communications Co. HQ BN, 1st Marine Division

GySgt Dustin Ramirez-SNCO Operational Communications Excellence

3d Assault Amphibian BN

Sgt Phillip Offord-NCO of the Quarter

1st BN, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division

HM2 Brian Kringle-Sailor of the Year
RP3 Garrett Matthews-Sailor of the Year
HM3 Jackson Konchal-Sailor of the Year
Cpl Tyler Camp-NCO of the Quarter

1st Law Enforcement BN

Cpl Jackie Madhava-PWYE Essay Winner
Sgt Brianna Robinson-NCO of the Year
Sgt Steven Minchew-Marine of the First Quarter

Alpha Co. H&S BN, MCI-West

Sgt Christian Cooper-NCO of the Year

HMLA-369

Sgt Julia Langford-NCO of the Quarter
LCpl Carlos Martinez-Marine of the Quarter

I MEF

Sgt Andrew Brewster-NCO of the Year
Cpl Korrin Daigle-Marine of the Year
HM1 Nicholas Paris-Senior Sailor of the Year
HM2 Zachery Simpson-Junior Sailor of the Year
HN Robert Thompson-Blue Jacket of the Year

I MEF, Headquarters Group

HM1 Melinda Ortiz-Sailor of the Year
HM2 Jason Alexander-Sailor of the Year

HQ and BN, Bravo Co

Cpl Erik Miguel Ortiz-Marine of the Quarter
Cpl Eric Robinson-Marine of the Quarter

H&S BN, School of Infantry-West

LCpl Brian Payne-Marine of the Quarter
Sgt Alyssa Gordon-Marine of the Year

H&S BN, Medical Section, School of Infantry-West

HN Stephen Twum-Marine of the Quarter

Marine Combat Training BN H&I Co, School of Infantry-West

Cpl Hunter Lyens-Marine of the Quarter

Combat Instructor School, School of Infantry-West

GySgt Mark Koerner-Combat Instructor of the Year

School of Infantry-West

Sgt Andrein Mosley-Marine of the Year

Wounded Warrior BN West

SSgt Ryan Ratigan-Volunteer of the Year
LCpl Martin J Benitez-Marine of the Year
Sgt Leslie Ann Graham-Recovering Service Member of the Year
HM3 Alun Gilpin-Sailor of the Year
SSgt Jeanette Coursey-Section Leader of the Year

Bravo Co Wounded Warrior BN West

Sgt Ryand Menendez-NCO of the Year