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Crossroads of the Marine Corps

Quantico’s TECOM civilian of the quarter, year awarded

27 Mar 2014 | Ameesha Felton Staff Writer Marine Corps Base Quantico

As Marine Corps leaders narrow down where to cut in a financially austere environment, the significance of civilians’ work becomes more apparent, Major Gen. Thomas Murray, commanding general of Training and Education Command, told a crowd gathered at Little Hall.

“We’ve cut about everything we possibly can but the things you’re doing are just so extremely important, that it would be [like cutting] down to the bone,” Murray said. “Every single day, what you do supports the operating forces and adds true meaning to the [Marine Corps’ mission].”

Murray was the keynote speaker and presenter during a ceremony, honoring Quantico’s TECOM junior and senior civilians of third and fourth quarter and the 2013 Civilian of the Year aboard Quantico on March 2, 2014.

Lee Viverette, range and training area specialist at TECOM, received the senior Civilian of the Year Award. Viverette served as the lead for TECOM and Marine Corps Combat Development Command in the land acquisition at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. During the six-year acquisition process, Viverette acted as the subject matter expert, providing technical range data, briefing preparation and information assistance to Headquarters Marine Corps personnel.

The land acquisition, completed in 2013, was of historical significance and one that couldn’t be completed without the help of Viverette, Murray said.

“There was a lot of opposition and a lot of people involved with getting us that land but Lee was the one who really pushed it — he knew all of the detailed information,”  Murray said. “The land expansion is really important for the future of weapon systems we are going to have. We need that land to practice the way we will fight in the future.”

Alfred Houde, senior ordnance curator at TECOM, was presented the senior Civilian of the Third Quarter award for his efforts within Marine Corps University under the National Museum of the Marine Corps. In addition to his normal duties, Houde assumed the roles of two job vacancies at the museum, from July 1 through Sept. 30, 2013. He served as the senior liaison with Lin Ezell, museum director and staff. He tracked facility projects, safety issues, assisted the collection’s team and managed resources.

“There’s a lot of people who love their job and I realize that but then there are people who live to do the things they do and Alfred is one of those people,” Murray said. “He does a fantastic job and we couldn’t be more grateful for his service.”

Murray thanked the civilians and restated their importance to the Marine Corps.

Writer: afelton@quanticosentryonline.com

 

140319-O-IH315-001: Alfred Houde, left, senior ordnance curator at Training and Education Command; Maj. Gen. Thomas Murray, commanding general of TECOM; and Lee Viverette, range and training area specialist; at TECOM attend a ceremony March 18, 2014, at Little Hall, honoring TECOM’s junior and senior civilians of third and fourth quarter and the 2013 Civilian of the Year. Houde was named senior Civilian of the Third Quarter and Viverette received the senior Civilian of the Year Award.


Marine Corps Base Quantico