Photo By Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales | U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Daniel Mullins poses for a photograph on Camp Hansen, Okinawa,...... read more read more
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Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan — Sgt. Daniel Mullins, a Pennsylvania native and an artillery electronics technician with the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, was awarded the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Gold Disk Program Award and $2,000 cash prize on Feb. 20, 2025, for cost-saving repairs in an austere fiscal environment.
The CNO Gold Disk Program Award, established in 1997 by the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, recognizes Marines and Sailors who demonstrate initiative and technical expertise in performing cost-saving miniature and micro-miniature (2M) repairs on various electrical systems.
“This award is a testament to how the Marine Corps values innovation and problem-solving,” said Mullins. “It shows that hard work and technical skills make a difference, not just for our unit, but for the entire force.”
Mullins, originally a carpenter before joining the Marine Corps, repaired nine electronic modules and circuit card assemblies, seven of which were for the RQ-20 Puma Unmanned Aerial System, saving the Marine Corps over $197,000.
“I saw an opportunity to help and put my training to use,” he said. “I checked with the sensors section to see if they had any damaged equipment that needed repairs. They showed me a Puma that wasn’t communicating with its control system. After diagnosing the issue, I realized a fuse in the power amplifier was blown and was able to repair it.”
Recognizing the recurring issue, Mullins proactively asked if there were other systems with similar faults.
“They had six more with the same problem, and I was able to fix all of them,” he said. “It was rewarding to see immediate results and contribute to the mission in a tangible way.”
Mullins’ leadership team praised his initiative, reliability, and problem-solving skills.
"Sgt. Mullins stands out because of his strong work ethic, technical expertise, and unwavering dedication to getting the job done," said Staff Sgt. Brenden Kuhlmann, Mullins' supervisor. "He’s a motivated Marine who is always ready to take on challenges and find solutions. His work directly enhances our unit’s operational readiness."
For Mullins, the award is validation that hard work matters.
“The Marine Corps gives you the tools, you just have to apply them,” he said. “Hard work pays off.”
| Date Taken: | 03.07.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.10.2025 02:16 |
| Story ID: | 492222 |
| Location: | US |
| Hometown: | PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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