Photo By Cpl. Victoria Hutt | U.S Navy Petty Officer First Class Nancy Guillermo, a Queens, New York native with the...... read more read more
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Military service members are recognized and given awards by their leadership for their hard work, dedication, and impact within a unit. Others rise above and are chosen by leadership to compete for recognition from non-military affiliated organization awards.
The GEICO Military Service Award is an annual accolade that honors outstanding military personnel for their exemplary service, leadership, and commitment to their communities. One service member per branch is recognized.
U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Nancy Guillermo was selected as the United States Navy recipient of the 2024 GEICO Military Service Award.
The Queens, New York native served as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Religious Program Specialist during the 2023 pre-deployment training cycle and the 2024 deployment to U.S. Sixth Fleet's area of responsibility. She was responsible for the deployment readiness of the Religious Ministry Teams (RMT) for the entire Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) across three U.S. Navy ships and ashore, planning volunteer opportunities and community relation events and ensuring accessibility to religious services and resources.
Before deployment, Guillermo sought opportunities to integrate Marines and Sailors with the community through volunteer events, such as visiting senior citizen centers and animal shelters. She also created a sense of community across the 24th MEU MAGTF by hosting internal command events, bringing the diverse group of Marines, Sailors, and their families together. While deployed and facing new challenges that come with coordinating events with host nation organizations, she quickly overcame unforeseen obstacles to create opportunities for Marines and Sailors to volunteer with adults in assisted living programs, international schools, and orphanages.
“My favorite volunteer opportunity, while deployed, was the boys' home in Chania, Greece,” she recalled. “Our ship Boatswain mates made a soccer net for the boys' home and we installed the net, played soccer with kids, and had an ice cream social afterward.”
The desire to create positive experiences for the Marines and Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) inspired Guillermo to plan several hikes and fitness events during port visits. She also assisted the other RMTs in independently conducting community relation events in Lithuania, Crete, and Cyprus.
"It is important for Marines and Sailors to have these lasting experiences," she says. "They will remember them forever."
Guillermo's vision extended beyond just volunteering; she aimed to bridge the gap between military personnel and the communities they served, whether at home or overseas.
"People look at us as just a warfighting organization,” she said. “My goal every time I coordinate a volunteer event is for the people to see that we are more than just warfighters, we provide a face and name to our uniform."
Winning the GEICO Military Service Award was an unexpected achievement for Guillermo.
“I was very shocked,” she laughed. “It made me feel appreciated, and it made me feel like part of the 24th MEU team. It validated all the guidance I received from my Chiefs and mentors. It showed my family the fruits of their sacrifice, supporting me on the deployment."
She credits her success to many of the Marines and Sailors she deployed with, particularly her Chaplain, Lieutenant Commander Jim Campbell. His methodical thinking, positive attitude, and passion for his work inspired Guillermo to strive for excellence.
LCDR Campbell's work ethic reinforced the importance of diligence, initiative, and integrity. In addition to the events Guillermo coordinated and the services and resources she provided as a Religious Programs Specialist, she also devoted time to her professional development as a Sailor. She renewed her Enlisted Fleet Marine Force, Enlisted Surface Warfare, Enlisted Aviation Surface Warfare Specialist, and Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist qualifications.
"I don’t do what I do for an award or because I want recognition," she stated. "Watching Marines and Sailors enjoy the experiences I provide motivates me to work harder for the people I serve."
| Date Taken: | 03.27.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2025 16:03 |
| Story ID: | 493882 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | QUEENS, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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