Photo By Lance Cpl. Stefanie Pupkiewicz | Sgt. Clay Bearman, with III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, was named this year's...... read more read more
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CAMP FOSTER -- Sgt. Clay Bearman, a saxophonist with the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, recently took top honor in the Marine Musician of the Year competition.
Bearman said he was not particularly surprised by the award because while he is reluctant to admit his aptitude with a saxophone he is not shy about his exemplarily record as a Marine.
The competition "was more toward the Marine side of things," Bearman said.
With achievements like a 300 physical fitness test; a silver medal at last year's Far East Division Matches, a marksmanship competition, honor graduate from Corporals Course and meritorious sergeant under his belt, Bearman had a reasonable level of confidence going into the competition, he said.
"Bearman is a (non-commissioned officer) that sharpens both sides of the leadership sword," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Forest Q. Brown, band officer of the III MEF Band, in his letter of recommendation to the Marine Corps Musician of the Year board.
He cultivates himself as a Marine as well as his fellow Marines, Brown said.
"How I live is always doing your best," Bearman said.
Bearman has played the saxophone for the last five years and plans to continue with music in and beyond the Marine Corps, he said.
He started playing the piano at age 10. He picked up the saxophone along with the ambition to be a Marine while in high school, Bearman said.
He didn't immediately realize he could do both at the same time, but once he did, he pursued it passionately.
Bearman competed against Marines from I and II MEF bands, the President's Own and the Commandant's Own for the honor.
The competition was based on Marine Corps merits such as PFT, rifle score, volunteer service and recommendation letters as well as a musical recording, he said.
Bearman will travel to the states to accept the award at a ceremony during the annual Marine Corps Music Leadership Symposium, according to Marine Administrative Message 0660/09.
The symposium, to be held Tuesday in Chicago, is a highlight for Bearman because it will be the first time in a year he will see his parents, who will be attending, he said.
| Date Taken: | 12.14.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.14.2009 02:47 |
| Story ID: | 42714 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 427 |
| Downloads: | 287 |
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