NCO of the Year
Sgt Cox

Sergeant Cox was born in Greenville, Pennsylvania on 11 April, 1986.  In 2004 he graduated from Jamestown Area High School is Jamestown, Pennsylvania and attended Pittsburgh Technical Institute (PTI).  In 2006 he graduated from PTI with an associate’s degree in electronics engineering.  

Sergeant Cox entered the Marine Corps on August 23, 2006.  Upon completion of recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, then Private First Class (PFC) Cox attended the Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. 

Upon completion of MCT, PFC Cox attended The Basic Engineer Equipment Electrical Systems Technician School at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he was assigned the MOS of 1142. In May of 2007, Lance Corporal Cox was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 374, Group 37, 3rd Marine Air Wing, Twentynine Palms, California to perform duties as a Generator Mechanic.  In March of 2008, he was deployed with his unit to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
     
In September of 2008, Corporal Cox voluntarily extended to remain deployed as a generator mechanic with MWSS 373.  In April of 2009 he returned back to MWSS 374, Twentynine Palms, to perform the duties of Utilities Maintenance Chief.  

In March of 2010, Sergeant Cox reported to 1st Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15 Camp Pendleton California to perform the duties of Generator Floor Chief.  In September of 2010, Sergeant Cox deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  In April of 2011, following his units return, he executed his duties as Maintenance Support Team Leader. 

In August of 2011, he received orders to Advanced Engineer Equipment Electrical Systems Technician course Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  Upon his completion of school he received temporary additional duty orders to Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to perform duties as the Utilities Maintenance Chief.  While assigned he served aboard the U.S.S. Rushmore in support of the 15th MEU’s western pacific deployment.  

In May of 2013, Sergeant Cox returned to 1st Maintenance Battalion and received orders to Marine Wing Communications Squadron (MWCS) 18, 1st Marine Air Wing, Okinawa, Japan.

Upon reporting to MWCS-18, he performed his duties as the Utilities NCOIC.  In January 2015, he reported to Sergeants Course.  After graduation he returned to MWCS-18 where he currently serves as the Utilities Floor Chief.  In July 2014, he attended the Martial Arts Instructors Course and graduated as a black belt instructor.      

His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (with 1 bronze star), Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon (with 1 bronze star), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with 1 bronze star), Iraqi Campaign Medal (with three stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with three bronze star), and NATO ISAF Medal.  

Marine of the Year
Cpl Mills

Corporal Mills was born on November 7, 1991 in Bradenton, Florida. After graduating from Lennard High School, He spent one year studying at Midland University before enlisting into the United States Marine Corps. He attended recruiting training at MCRD Parris Island on 23 January 2012.

After graduating from recruit training 20 April 2012, Private Mills attended Marine Combat Training, prior to reporting to Naval Air Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Florida where he attended Aviation Electrician “A” school. Private Mills was promoted to Private First Class in July of 2012. He then attended 2m Micro-Miniature school in Mayport, Florida.

On 01 March 2013, Private First Class Mills reported into his first Command of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aircraft Group 12, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 12, at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Private First Class Mills was promoted to Lance Corporal in March of 2012. In May of 2013 Lance Corporal Mills attended Microelectronics repair school where he was one of the top Marines in his class. In August of 2013 Lance Corporal Mills was attached to VMFA-242 as an on-site Avionics Technician for the Asan Fury detachment.

In 2014 Lance Corporal Mills became a Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI) for work center 69B, 69C, 69H, & 62B. He served as production NCO ensuring the CO’s Goal and full mission capability by troubleshooting and repairing gear with a quick turnaround time. Later in the year Lance Corporal Mills assumed the billet of work center supervisor when the mission needed and later as night crew shift supervisor. After serving in both SNCO and NCO billets Lance Corporal Mills’ leadership, prowess, and professionalism was highly praised and recognized.

On December 2nd 2014 Lance Corporal Mills was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal and currently serves as the assistant work center supervisor. 

Senior Sailor of the Year
HM1 Sabala

Hospital Corpsman First Class Sabala was born and raised in Sacramento, California.  He enlisted into the United States Navy in 2002.  Following completion of basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois he completed Hospital Corpsman basic course in Great Lakes, Illinois and then reported to school of Advanced Laboratory Sciences at Naval School of Health Sciences, San Diego, California where he completed school in 2004.

In 2004, he reported to Naval Branch Health Clinic, Mayport, Florida.  While there he made Petty Officer third class, and earned his qualifications as an Emergency medical technician and emergency vehicle operator.

In 2007, HM3 Sabala reported to Naval Branch Health Clinic, Manama, Bahrain.  HM3 Sabala was assigned as the LPO of immunizations during his tour there and made Petty Officer 2nd Class.  

In 2008, HM2 Sabala reported to Fleet Surgical Team One where he deployed onboard the USS Peleliu (LHA-5).  He did an 8 month WESTPAC where they provided humanitarian relief for the Pakistani floods and did MEDCAP in East Timor Leste. After completing his successful tour he decided to put his package in for Independent Duty Corpsman School.

 In January 2011, Hospital Second Class Sabala reported to Naval School of Health and for Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) School.  He graduated with honors and graduated in March 2012. He then reported to Camp Pendleton for Fleet Medical Training Battalion School. After completion of training he reported to his current command. 

In July 2012, he reported to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Iwakuni Detachment, Japan and currently serving as the Clinic LPO, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Navy Detachment, Iwakuni, Japan.

Junior Sailor of the Year
RP2 Hill

RP2 Hill was born on 23 April 1991 in Wichita Falls, Texas.  He attended Rider High School and graduated in May 2009.  He then attended Midwestern State University until he enlisted in the United States Navy and reported to Recruit Training Command, Basic Training at Great Lakes, Illinois, on 7 July 2010. Petty Officer Kory Hill is currently the Religious Program Specialist for Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 (MWSS-172).

Upon completion of Recruit Training, he attended Special Warfare Combatant craft Crewman Training in Coronado, California.  In February 2011, he reported to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center for RP “A” School at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  Upon successfully completion, he then attended Chaplain Religious Expeditionary Skills Training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In August 2011, RP2 Hill received orders and reported to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing where he is currently assigned.  Exceeding the expected, he completed the Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Qualification well in advance of time prescribed and also advanced to Petty Officer Third and Second Class.

RP2 Hill has been deployed with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing to the Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Korea, and Kingdom of Thailand.  He was also hand selected to deploy with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit Command Element in support of the 2013 Spring Patrol and Exercise Cobra Gold 2013.

RP2 Hill’s personal awards include the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3rd Award). 

Bluejacket of the Year
HN Sia

HN Mark Sia was born in Manila, Philippines and moved to McComb Township, Michigan, U.S.A. at the age of 12 years old.  Initially attending Dakota High School in McComb Township, he later graduated from Royal Oak High School in Royal Oak City, MI in 2008.  HN Sia enlisted in the United States Navy in 2012, reporting to boot camp in Great Lakes, IL that fall.  He then attended Hospital Corps “A” school in Fort Sam Houston, TX starting in December 2012 with follow-on training as a Pharmacy Technician at Pharmacy Technician “C” school, also in Fort Sam Houston, TX.

From Pharmacy Technician “C” School he transferred to Camp Pendleton, CA in July 2013 to train at Field Medical Training Battalion (FMTB), obtaining skills to assess and treat combat casualties in field and battle situations.

After completing the training at FMTB he received three year orders to 1ST Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa Japan to serve his initial tour with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 (MWSS-172).

HN Sia is entitled to wear the following medals:  National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.