thedrifter
02-21-06, 11:11 AM
Few leathernecks apply for minority awards
By John Hoellwarth
Times staff writer
Each year, several national minority organizations offer awards to qualified Marines who represent the best of their service. And each year, few leathernecks take advantage of the opportunity, according to a Corps official.
It's not because the Corps isn't trying to get the word out. The service regularly publishes messages announcing Marines' eligibility for awards from the Federal Asian Pacific American Council, American Indian Science and Engineer Society, League of United Latin American Citizens and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
"Each organization has different award criteria, but the majority would fall to individuals who have served in the global war on terrorism or support the best ideals of their community or symbolize the citizen warrior ethos," said Col. Anselm Dyer, Equal Opportunity Branch head. "I do not see anything here that there is a requirement for race or gender. Each of the awards is based on what the individual has done."
Marines can't wear these awards on their chests and there are no cash prizes, but each award carries with it national acclaim and perhaps even the possibility of advancement.
"It's not guaranteed that this will be briefed on a meritorious [promotion] board, but it is very, very possible," Dyer said. "It will definitely be helpful to that Marine."
The awards are handed out in partnership with the Defense Department. An organization expresses its desire to award military personnel by teaming with Pentagon officials who authorize each branch to solicit nominations. Dyer said the Corps begins accepting names about two months before each submission deadline.
With race and gender non-issues in terms of eligibility, Dyer said he's disappointed by the lack of participation he sees from the fleet in response to the messages about these awards. The Equal Opportunity Branch receives only about a dozen nominations for each award, Dyer said.
Why so little Corps-wide interest? Dyer said operational commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan definitely play a large part. "When you're out in Iraq, it's kind of hard to know what's going on back here," he said.
When Marines in Iraq recognize "individuals who have distinguished themselves in the war on terrorism," the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal is a more common award than the LULAC Excellence in Military Service Award, though every Marine who has so distinguished himself is eligible. The LULAC award is simply not as well known as the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Dyer said that in addition to the MarAdmins, he tries to get word out about the awards at equal opportunity events throughout the year. He said the lack of nominations would be a great topic of discussion during the annual sergeants major symposium.
"Senior Marines have an obligation to award their Marines for a job well done," he said.
"We need to do a better job of articulating to the Marine Corps that these awards are out there and they occur on an annual basis."
Dyer said that establishing relationships with these organizations is "a key component in keeping good relations with the society we serve out there."
By John Hoellwarth
Times staff writer
Each year, several national minority organizations offer awards to qualified Marines who represent the best of their service. And each year, few leathernecks take advantage of the opportunity, according to a Corps official.
It's not because the Corps isn't trying to get the word out. The service regularly publishes messages announcing Marines' eligibility for awards from the Federal Asian Pacific American Council, American Indian Science and Engineer Society, League of United Latin American Citizens and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
"Each organization has different award criteria, but the majority would fall to individuals who have served in the global war on terrorism or support the best ideals of their community or symbolize the citizen warrior ethos," said Col. Anselm Dyer, Equal Opportunity Branch head. "I do not see anything here that there is a requirement for race or gender. Each of the awards is based on what the individual has done."
Marines can't wear these awards on their chests and there are no cash prizes, but each award carries with it national acclaim and perhaps even the possibility of advancement.
"It's not guaranteed that this will be briefed on a meritorious [promotion] board, but it is very, very possible," Dyer said. "It will definitely be helpful to that Marine."
The awards are handed out in partnership with the Defense Department. An organization expresses its desire to award military personnel by teaming with Pentagon officials who authorize each branch to solicit nominations. Dyer said the Corps begins accepting names about two months before each submission deadline.
With race and gender non-issues in terms of eligibility, Dyer said he's disappointed by the lack of participation he sees from the fleet in response to the messages about these awards. The Equal Opportunity Branch receives only about a dozen nominations for each award, Dyer said.
Why so little Corps-wide interest? Dyer said operational commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan definitely play a large part. "When you're out in Iraq, it's kind of hard to know what's going on back here," he said.
When Marines in Iraq recognize "individuals who have distinguished themselves in the war on terrorism," the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal is a more common award than the LULAC Excellence in Military Service Award, though every Marine who has so distinguished himself is eligible. The LULAC award is simply not as well known as the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Dyer said that in addition to the MarAdmins, he tries to get word out about the awards at equal opportunity events throughout the year. He said the lack of nominations would be a great topic of discussion during the annual sergeants major symposium.
"Senior Marines have an obligation to award their Marines for a job well done," he said.
"We need to do a better job of articulating to the Marine Corps that these awards are out there and they occur on an annual basis."
Dyer said that establishing relationships with these organizations is "a key component in keeping good relations with the society we serve out there."