thedrifter
08-10-03, 07:06 AM
U.S. Marine Corps
Gunnery Sgt. Deryck Dervin
Force Recon Team Leader Receives 2003 Johansen Award
By U.S. Marine Corps Sgt Kelly R. Koziol / 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)
ABOARD USS IWO JIMA, July 29, 2003 — A team leader with the Force Reconnaissance Detachment of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) got the biggest surprise of his career July 19 when he was awarded the 2003 Johansen Award recognizing him as the 2nd Force Recon Company's "Outstanding Marine of the Year."
Gunnery Sgt. Deryck Dervin, from Rockingham, N.C., did not know he was being considered for the award until he walked into a formation held in his honor aboard the USS Iwo Jima. "I had no idea until I walked in the room," said the team leader for Team Two, Sixth Platoon. "I can't think of a better feeling. It was a total surprise, especially being formerly a communications Marine," he said.
The award is given annually in memory of Capt. Peter J. Johansen who died January 16, 1963 in a training accident while parachuting with 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company in North Carolina.
Many different aspects of a Marine's career are considered when deciding on an award such as the Johansen Award. They include the different qualifications earned while with "Force Recon" as well as all accomplishments achieved over the previous year.
According to the platoon sergeant for Sixth Platoon, Gunnery Sgt. Edward J. Lynch, Dervin was the clear choice out of the 28 Marines of his platoon. "Leadership by example. That is Gunny Dervin. He shows that day-to-day in the way he handles himself and leads his team," Lynch said.
Lynch was not alone in his enthusiastic recommendation of Dervin for the award, however. It was a collaborative nomination between Lynch, the platoon commander and the other team leaders of Sixth Platoon, Lynch said. Following Dervin's nomination at the platoon level, Lynch submitted his recommendation package for consideration.
Following an endorsement from the Sixth Platoon, the package was sent to 2nd Force Recon Company for review and a vote. Once endorsed by the company, Dervin's package was sent to the Force Reconnaissance Association for the final decision. The association, comprised of former, active duty and reserve 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company members, then chose a winner and notified Gunnery Sgt. Dervin's chain-of-command.
"He epitomizes what you want to represent your community and company," said Capt. Andrew R. Christian, Sixth Platoon commander. "We are very proud of him. A job well done," he said.
The Marine Expeditionary Unit commander, Col. Andrew P. Frick, was on hand to present the award and also commended Dervin on his accomplishment. "Gunny has been a mainstay. He is always around and always does a great job," he said.
Dervin and the rest of the Marines and sailors of the Marine Expeditionary Unit have reached the five-month mark in their scheduled eight-month deployment and are currently conducting operations off the coast of Africa.
http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/aug2003/profiles/pri080703a1.jpg
Col. Andrew P. Frick (right) presents Gunnery Sgt. Dervin the 2003 Johansen award aboard the USS Iwo Jima.
http://www.defendamerica.mil/profiles/aug2003/pr080703a.html
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Gunnery Sgt. Deryck Dervin
Force Recon Team Leader Receives 2003 Johansen Award
By U.S. Marine Corps Sgt Kelly R. Koziol / 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)
ABOARD USS IWO JIMA, July 29, 2003 — A team leader with the Force Reconnaissance Detachment of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) got the biggest surprise of his career July 19 when he was awarded the 2003 Johansen Award recognizing him as the 2nd Force Recon Company's "Outstanding Marine of the Year."
Gunnery Sgt. Deryck Dervin, from Rockingham, N.C., did not know he was being considered for the award until he walked into a formation held in his honor aboard the USS Iwo Jima. "I had no idea until I walked in the room," said the team leader for Team Two, Sixth Platoon. "I can't think of a better feeling. It was a total surprise, especially being formerly a communications Marine," he said.
The award is given annually in memory of Capt. Peter J. Johansen who died January 16, 1963 in a training accident while parachuting with 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company in North Carolina.
Many different aspects of a Marine's career are considered when deciding on an award such as the Johansen Award. They include the different qualifications earned while with "Force Recon" as well as all accomplishments achieved over the previous year.
According to the platoon sergeant for Sixth Platoon, Gunnery Sgt. Edward J. Lynch, Dervin was the clear choice out of the 28 Marines of his platoon. "Leadership by example. That is Gunny Dervin. He shows that day-to-day in the way he handles himself and leads his team," Lynch said.
Lynch was not alone in his enthusiastic recommendation of Dervin for the award, however. It was a collaborative nomination between Lynch, the platoon commander and the other team leaders of Sixth Platoon, Lynch said. Following Dervin's nomination at the platoon level, Lynch submitted his recommendation package for consideration.
Following an endorsement from the Sixth Platoon, the package was sent to 2nd Force Recon Company for review and a vote. Once endorsed by the company, Dervin's package was sent to the Force Reconnaissance Association for the final decision. The association, comprised of former, active duty and reserve 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company members, then chose a winner and notified Gunnery Sgt. Dervin's chain-of-command.
"He epitomizes what you want to represent your community and company," said Capt. Andrew R. Christian, Sixth Platoon commander. "We are very proud of him. A job well done," he said.
The Marine Expeditionary Unit commander, Col. Andrew P. Frick, was on hand to present the award and also commended Dervin on his accomplishment. "Gunny has been a mainstay. He is always around and always does a great job," he said.
Dervin and the rest of the Marines and sailors of the Marine Expeditionary Unit have reached the five-month mark in their scheduled eight-month deployment and are currently conducting operations off the coast of Africa.
http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/aug2003/profiles/pri080703a1.jpg
Col. Andrew P. Frick (right) presents Gunnery Sgt. Dervin the 2003 Johansen award aboard the USS Iwo Jima.
http://www.defendamerica.mil/profiles/aug2003/pr080703a.html
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: