Photo By Staff Sgt. Megan Roses | U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Charity Jesionowski (center), an administration specialist with...... read more read more
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CAMP BUTLER, OKINAWA, JAPAN - U.S. Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific attended the fourth annual Marine Corps Association Okinawa Professional Dinner at Camp Butler Officers’ Club, Camp Foster, Japan, Oct. 6, 2022. The evening events included guest speakers, dinner, and concluded with an awards presentation funded by MCA.
“Tonight we are here for two reasons,” explained retired Lt. Gen. Charles Chiarotti, current president and CEO of MCA. “One, to recognize Marines of III MEF that have excelled above and beyond. Secondly, part of the professional development aspect of the dinner is hearing from senior leadership about topics of relevance.”
Founded by U.S. Marines in 1913, the MCA was designed to develop and support Marines professionally and personally. Through the years, the association has provided books to over 300 unit libraries, recognized over 8,000 Marines in the Marine Excellence Awards Program and funded numerous programs dedicated to the professional development of Marines.
The dinner was open to all Marine Corps retirees, veterans, family members, supporters of the Marine Corps, and free to all active duty Marines. Attendees had the opportunity to meet and hear from current and prior leaders of III MEF, MCIPAC, and Brig. Gen. James Wellons, deputy commander of United States Forces Japan.
Wellons, guest speaker for the dinner, spoke about the strategic importance of III MEF. He highlighted the combination of lethality and posture and continuous strengthening of relationships amongst allies and partners. These attributes make III MEF a highly prepared and capable force ready to rapidly deploy to any challenges the Indo-Pacific may present.
The 2019 Commandant’s Planning Guidance named III MEF the Corps’ main effort, meaning the Marines and Sailors who serve at III MEF and MCIPAC lead the charge in shaping the future of the Marine Corps and will have an impact that lasts for decades.
Four Marines and one Navy Sailor stood out amongst their peers in 2021. Award recipients assigned to MCIPAC were Sgt. William Gear, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, and Cpl. Charity Jesionowski, Marine of the Year. III MEF award recipients were Sgt. Matthew Robinson, NCO of the Year, Cpl. Nathan Keith, Marine of the Year, and HM1 Marco Mallari, Sailor of the Year.
“If you work hard, you’ll get recognized,” said Jesionowski, an administrative clerk with Installations Personnel Administration Center, Headquarters and Support Battalion, MCIPAC. “There are leaders that care about us and want you to succeed, push you to succeed.”
MCA provides support, education, and professional development to Marines and Sailors who are at the forefront of strengthening the security in the Indo-Pacific.
| Date Taken: | 10.06.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.07.2022 03:22 |
| Story ID: | 430912 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 498 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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