March 2015 Reflections

Over the past few weeks, the Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group (MCTOG) held several events in recognition of Marines retiring, leaving, getting promoted and for just doing great things.

Hails

Hails are the traditional way of welcoming new members to the organization. During the hails, leaders in the organization will introduce new members to existing members of the organization in an open forum. Hails also serve as a great ice breaker as new members have the opportunity to meet some of the key personnel within the organization this way. MCTOG welcomed several Marines and civilians to its family.

• Captain Michael Simpson
• Master Gunnery Sergeant Steven Pearson
• Master Sergeant Daniel Borowiecki
• Gunnery Sergeant Jason Hilker
• Gunnery Sergeant Michael Quintero
• Gunner Sergeant Hector Angulo
• Staff Sergeant Mitchell Glover
• Staff Sergeant Michael Price
• Sergeant Anthony Marano
• Corporal Gavin Allison
• Erick Hodge

Welcome aboard! We look forward to integrating you into what we do to prepare Marines for combat. Semper Fidelis!

Farewells

MCTOG says farewell to both Sergeant Javier Cordero and Sergeant Jose Ortiz.

Sergeant Cordero is a member of the Support Division where he worked as the supply operations and administration specialist. In between working tirelessly to support the many supply and logistical demands of a training organization, Sergeant Cordero often found time to motivate his fellow Marines as a member of MCTOG’s bicycling club, often leading others through difficult biking terrain.

Sergeant Ortiz is a member of the Instructor Group where he worked as an intelligence specialist. In between his efforts to support the training organization during the many training events hosted by MCTOG, Sergeant Ortiz kept himself busy honing his skills in Jujitsu.

We wish you both the best as you embark on your next challenge in the Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis!

Awards

MCTOG held an awards ceremony recognized the hard work and diligence of Lieutenant Colonel Garth Massey, Major Craig Snow, Master Sergeant Christopher Lopez, and Staff Sergeant Richard Pinner.

Lieutenant Colonel Garth Massey received the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) while serving as the Officer in Charge of the MCTOG Individual Mobilization Augmentee Detachment. Lieutenant Colonel Garth Massey was instrumental in the redesign of and the increased emphasis on training, mentoring, and observing Reserve Regimental and Battalion level staffs across the Reserve force.

The Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) is a military award presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service. The medal was designed as a third meritorious award to provide appropriate recognition for non-combat achievement or service comparable to that of the Bronze Star Medal for combat achievement or service.

Major Craig Snow, Master Sergeant Christopher Lopez, and Staff Sergeant Pinner received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Major Craig Snow received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his exemplary performance while serving as a member of the Instructor Group. Major Snow’s efforts were vital to the successful integration and improvement of aviation planning, bridging the gap between intelligence and operations within MCTOG.

Master Sergeant Christopher Lopez received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his exemplary performance while serving as a member of the Instructor Group. Master Sergeant Lopez provided professional instruction to over 100 Marines on command and control support systems employment and information management, incorporating best practices and addressing systemic trends.

Staff Sergeant Pinner received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his exemplary performance in mentoring regiment and battalion staffs, inspiring them to explore innovative techniques for leveraging intelligence activities that directly support the Commander’s decision making cycle.

The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal is given to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps (including foreign military personnel), distinguishes himself/herself in a manner above that normally expected and sufficient to distinguish the individual above those performing similar services.

Colonel Craig Wonson, MCTOG Commanding Officer, Master Gunnery Sergeant Stephen Lowe, MCTOG Intelligence Chief, present Lieutenant Colonel Garth Massey with the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).	Colonel Craig Wonson, MCTOG Commanding Officer, and Master Gunnery Sergeant Jose Valentin-Santana, MCTOG Senior Enlisted Advisor, present Major Craig Snow with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
Colonel Craig Wonson, MCTOG Commanding Officer, and Master Gunnery Sergeant Jose Valentin-Santana, MCTOG Senior Enlisted Advisor, present Master Sergeant Christopher Lopez with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Promotions

MCTOG held several promotion ceremonies for several deserving Marines. Military promotions are significant events in the lives of military personnel. Promotion often signal a significant change in status, an improvement in personal skills, and an increase in the trust by one’s command and the larger Marine Corps in the abilities of the Marine being promoted.

• Gunnery Sergeant Brandon Brooks was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant.
• Corporal Douglas Applegate was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
• Corporal Anthony Marano was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
• Corporal Myles Hall was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Congratulations Marines!

Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Wittnam and Master Gunnery Sergeant Jose Valentin-Santana, MCTOG Senior Enlisted Advisor, promote Gunnery Sergeant Brandon Brooks to the rank of Master Sergeant.	Corporal Myles Hall is promoted to the rank of Sergeant and fellow Marines place the new rank insignia on the lapels of this newly promoted Marine.
Captain Jeremy Vicars and Staff Sergeant Joshua Straub promote Corporal Douglas Applegate and Corporal Anthony Marano to the rank of Sergeant.	Fellow Marines gather around for the promotion of Corporal Applegate and Corporal Marano.

Tactical MAGTF Integration Course

MCTOG held a graduation for the class of Tactical MAGTF Integration Course (TMIC) 1-15. The guest of honor for this TMIC graduation was Major General Nicholson, Commanding General of 1st Marine Division. Read more about this event here.

Major General Nicholson, Commanding General, 1st Marine Division, arriving at MCTOG for the graduation of TMIC 1-15.

Family Events

MCTOG held a number of fundraising and family events last month. Fundraising events included breakfast burritos sales and a softball tournament. This was a fun and festive event for the family and friends of the Marines, civilians, and contractors working at MCTOG. Keep checking our eMarine page for more fun in upcoming events.

Upcoming Events

New family fun events for the month of February have been posted to our eMarine (http://www.emarine.org/) page. Family members are invited to login to see what’s happening over the next couple of weeks.