Maj. Gen. Robert E. Milstead Jr., commanding general for Marine CorpsRecruiting Command, recognizes the finalists and runners-up for the 2009 Commandant of the Marine Corps Combined Service Awards on Jan. 29.
Twelve Marines from across the Corps were recognized during the Commandant of the Marine Corps Combined Awards Ceremony at Harry Lee Hall on Jan. 29.
‘‘It’s an absolute privilege,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jody G. Armentrout, from School of Infantry East at Camp Lejeune, N.C., who was named combatinstructor of the year. ‘‘I take great pride in wearing the uniform and doing what I do every day.”
Along with that award, Armentrout received his seventh Navy Achievement Medal.
‘‘All too often we forget just how special our Corps is,” said Maj. Gen. Robert E. Milstead Jr., commanding general for Marine Corps Recruiting Command. ‘‘Wars are fought by weapons, but won by people. It’s the people who are important.”
In addition to being recognized, winners who were eligible were meritoriously promoted on the spot by Milstead and given Navy Achievement Medals.
Awards were given in the following six categories for 2009:recruiter, prior service recruiter, drill instructor, combat instructor, Marine security guard and career retention specialist.
— Correspondent: lucas.lowe@usmc.mil
Marines receiving awards were:
Staff Sgt. Joshua M. Shaffer, Recruiting Station Indianapolis, 9th Marine Corps District, recruiter of the year.
Staff Sgt. Venus C. Cacace, Prior Service Recruiting Office Montgomery, Ala., 4th Marine Corps District, prior servicerecruiter of the year.
Staff Sgt. Bryan J. Robbins, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, drill instructor of the year.
Gunnery Sgt. Jody G. Armentrout, School of Infantry East at Camp Lejeune, N.C., combat instructor of the year.
Sgt. Robert E. Catching, the American Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal, Marinesecurity guard of the year.
Gunnery Sgt. Jimmy M. R. Spence, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division,career retention specialist of the year.
Staff Sgt. Tyler A. Davis, Recruiting Station Phoenix, 8th Marine Corps District, runner-up for recruiter of the year.
Staff Sgt. Matthew F. Dean, Prior Service Recruiting Office Montgomery, Ala., 6th Marine Corps District, runner-up for prior service recruiter of the year.
Gunnery Sgt. Damian P. Wright, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., runner-up for drill instructor of the year.
Sgt. Ian D. Lampman, School of Infantry West at Camp Pendleton, Calif., runner-up for combat instructor of the year.
gt. David B. Montgomery, the American Embassy at Bogota, Colombia, runner-up for Marine security guard of the year.
Gunnery Sgt. Alfonso Ramos Jr., 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, runner-up for career retention specialist of the year.
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