Maj. Gen. Thomas Murray, commander of Training and Education Command, said recognizing the organization’s outstanding civilians is “one of the really great things we do,” as the expertise, knowledge and continuity these employees provide constitute the “backbone” of the organization.

“Within this Training and Education Command, one of the most tremendous assets we have is our civilian Marines,” Murray told the crowd gathered in the auditorium of Geiger Hall on March 5 for an awards ceremony that recognized TECOM’s civilians of the year and of the quarter, as well as those who had performed an “outstanding service.”

The senior Civilian of the Year for 2012 was Luz Cortes, budget analyst for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Staff Training program, who took on the Defense Travel System and Government Travel Charge Card responsibilities for the program to help fill a vacant billet. Athena Moye, material handler at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, was named junior Civilian of the Year for her work to improve gear handling, enhancing efficiency and increasing the longevity and serviceability of gear.

Civilians of the fourth quarter were Tommy Jimmerson, communications officer and security manager at Fort Lee and Combined Arms Support Command; and Jeffery Moravetz, supply clerk at the Expeditionary Warfare School. Both took steps that saved tens of thousands of dollars, and both also provided their units with better academic environments.

An incident in October involving potential radiation exposure from artifacts recently transferred to the National Museum of the Marine Corps resulted in outstanding service awards for curator/specialist team members Ben Kristy, Stefan Rohal and Alexis Thompson, as well as assistant ordnance curator John Miller. The curators saw the potential for radioactivity, surveyed the material and cleared the area. Miller responded to their call for assistance, oversaw the removal of the contaminated artifact and screened the employees affected. No one came in contact with loose radioactive material.

Members of the museum’s Montford Point team Keith Bearley, Mike Daniels, Tony Espree, Jennifer Jackson, Christina Johnson and Alice Webb also received outstanding service awards, as did museum specialist Carrie Bowers and William Morris, curriculum manager at The Basic School.

The Montford Point team designed and set up a museum display about the Marine Corps’ first black Marines, creating two dozen new graphics. Bowers and Morris both stepped up to take on temporary duties to fill vacant positions.

Murray said he was pleased to recognize individuals whose regard for TECOM and the Marine Corps prompted them to take action.

— Writer: mdicicco@quanticosentryonline.com