NCO of the Quarter!!

Congratulations Chad!

This past July, Chad was awarded with Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Quarter!

NCO of the Quarter is a big deal - and pretty darn competitive. Basically, a superior needs to write a letter of recommendation to the Sgt. Major of the battalion. Once there, candidates are scrutinized and compared based on their physical fitness scores, rifle scores, success in their job, etc. Then someone is picked - and this Summer - it was Chad!

As a Marine - this is a big deal - his picture goes up on the wall in the headquarters building and a letter commendation goes into his permanent record.

As far as the community goes - it is a HUGE deal! Chad has had to dress up twice now to go to community events in his honor.

In August, the Silverdale Rotary Club hosted a luncheon for him and other Marines and Sailors of the Quarter. At this event everyone was given a plaque and a gift certificate, "in recognition of their outstanding military performance and service to their country."

Then later that month, the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce hosted an event to honor them again. This time, businesses from around the city donated their time and gifts to these amazing people. Here he was awarded a certificate and numerous "thank you" gifts - including a Marine Corps. watch and a few gift cards. At his table sat, James Donaldson, an N.B.A. All-Star in 1988. Pretty amazing!

Being the NCO of the Quarter puts Chad up for Marine of the year! We'll know if this is the case by November.

Chad is an amazing Marine. Its just icing that the Marine Corps. has recognized this. Congrats my love!!!

Chad is Amazing... second only to Chuck Norris

This is Chad's entry - well written by me, but narrated by him - I'm forcing him to be something other than his ever humble self this evening. He has done so many amazing things these last couple months!

At the start of the year, Chad was sent to Sergeants Course... in Hawaii... oh poor guy. The purpose of sergeants course is to provide USMC sergeants the tools to better lead and train the lower ranks and fellow sergeants. This class lasted a total of seven weeks and consisted of both daily classroom style lessons (including homework!) and grueling physical training. It wasn't a cake walk, a total of 7 people were dismissed from the course - but not Chad! No, in fact Chad graduated with the second highest gpa - a 95.57%!! This earned him recognition at the graduation ceremony, a book from the Commandant's reading list, and a note in his permanent record (which can help with promotions!)!

Chad's gradation - me cheering behind the camera!

 

To celebrate his graduation and his achievements, my grandparents, Tom & Bea, sent Chad a Non-Commissioned Officers Sword! This is a very special accessory available to Marine NCOs, who are the only NCOs in the US Military authorized to wear a sword. Its mostly a ceremonial item, used for the flashy events such as drills, balls and ceremonies. This gift was extra special, considering Tom retired from the Marines as a Lieutenant Colonel. 

30 inches of awesome!

On top of all this wonderful-ness, while Chad was at Sgts course, on his own time - after physical training AND class - Chad worked with the martial arts instructor to earn his Green Belt. Basically, 5 belts: tan, gray, green, brown and black. Everyone starts off with the tan belt, which is usually earned in boot camp, then over ones career each job has its own earned "belt" requirement. At his current unit the minimum is green belt - but Chad has plans to go all the way... to one day challenge Chuck Norris for his title.

Just this week, as though he hasn't been though enough recently, Chad was required to attend the pistol qualification. It consists of three days of waking up early, going over the basics and more advanced firing techniques, and actually shooting a 9mm Beretta. The goal: to shoot within the black of the target at 7, 15 and 25 yards. He qualified as Marksman! which.... is a feat in and of itself for him because when Chad shoots a pistol... the target usually resembles medium range shotgun blast...

It has been a busy couple of months for Chad - especially when you consider all the extra stuff he is involved in: Search and Rescue, Church, and all the volunteer events I drag him to. But, hey, he's a Marine, they're supposed to be tough!