Photo By Amy Gregorski | 2024 USMEPCOM Military Members of the Year: Company grade officer: Army Capt. Terence...... read more read more
SAN ANTONIO – The 2024 USMEPCOM Military Members of the Year (MMOY) and Civilian Employees of the Year (CEOY) competition brought finalists from across the country to compete in a weeklong event, September 9-12. After contending through multiple rounds of challenges, 10 winners were named.
The winners and their categories are:
2024 USMEPCOM Military Members of the Year:
Company grade officer: Army Capt. Terence Martin, Dallas MEPS
Battalion senior enlisted advisor: Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Fogleman, 8th BN
MEPS senior enlisted advisor: Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Shawn Cox, Pittsburgh MEPS
Senior noncommissioned officer: Army Sgt. First Class Scott Royse, Miami MEPS
Junior noncommissioned officer: Marine Corps Sgt. Nathaniel Tiatia, Boise MEPS
2024 USMEPCOM Outstanding Civilian Employees of the Year:
GS06 and under: Jorda Cruz, Honolulu MEPS
GS07-GS09: Shawn Waite, Knoxville MEPS
GS10 and above: Jennifer Nowak, El Paso MEPS
2024 Headquarters, USMEPCOM Outstanding Civilian Employee of the Year:
GS07-GS09: Shawna McNure, J-3 Operations
GS10 and above: Andre Markham, J-3 Operations
The winners not only exemplified USMEPCOM’s values of performing professionally, providing value, driving change, processing empathetically and improving processes during the competition, but they live them every day.
“Each and every one of you exemplify what it means to be a part of USMEPCOM every single day,” said Command Sergeant Major Yveline Symonette, USMEPCOM senior enlisted advisor. “You go above and beyond expectations and constantly push yourselves and those around you to do your best to meet our mission.”
While USMEPCOM holds MMOY and CEOY competitions annually, this was the first time that the organization held the events concurrently, truly showing the joint staff command’s diversity and teamwork.
“This is the first time bringing the two competitions together,” noted Donovan Phillips, USMEPCOM chief of staff. “Regardless of what clothes you wear, we’re all on the same team.”
The change sparked excitement among leadership, military competitors and civilian competitors, truly displaying a passion for USMEPCOM’s joint staff mission.
“It was unexpected, but exciting,” said Karston Ross, Columbus MEPS travel clerk. “I was told it has always been via Teams or video call, but this year we got to travel too. It’s all exciting, just coming here, being in a nice city in this way. I really appreciate that MEPCOM did this in this way and having this opportunity.”
The journey for contenders was a true test of their capabilities, with competitions starting at the Battalion level. As they continued to compete and progressively advance through the layers of command, the field narrowed until only the most resilient and dedicated group of 21 individuals remained to face the final challenges.
Upon arriving in San Antonio, the competitors’ schedules were nothing short of demanding. Culminating in a final award ceremony, their week was filled with physical training, essay and formal interview board challenges. The varying trials challenged the competitors on multiple fronts, preparing them for leadership roles.
“The challenges have been both physical and mental and have pushed us all to our limits,” said Army Capt. Hunter Goad, Miami MEPS operations officer. “It’s an honor to be able to compete in these challenges not just as myself but representing the Miami MEPS and the teamwork it took to get here. I can’t wait to take what I’ve learned here back to the MEPS.”
In conjunction with the various challenges, competitors got to use this opportunity to network, participate in leadership seminars and explore the city of San Antonio through a team-based scavenger hunt. Although the competition remained fierce between both MMOYs and CEOYs, the finalists supported each other, building long-lasting connections that crossed states, military branches and career paths.
“I am pleased and blessed to be here,” said Army Sgt. First Class Jacob Madrid, San Diego medical non-commissioned officer in charge. “It’s not just a competition, it’s networking and building friendships and relationships with the people at the top of their field and the top of their game.”
All of the winners earned a USMEPCOM command coin and trophy. In addition, the civilian winners received the Civil Service Commendation Medal, while the military winners received the Joint Service Commendation medal. In addition to physical awards, they earned an invitation to USMEPCOM’s annual Senior Leadership Offsite, offering the winners the unique opportunity to be involved in command wide decision-making.
| Date Taken: | 09.13.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.13.2024 16:57 |
| Story ID: | 480831 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 138 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, USMEPCOM Announces Military Members and Civilians of the Year in San Antonio, by Ashley Toomey, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
