 |
Military Times Marine of the Year
Recognized for Leadership, Volunteer Work
(July 20, 2010) |
|
|
WASHINGTON (MCN, 7/16/2010) — A committee named a Lakeland, Fla., native the
Military Times Marine of the year during a ceremony on Capitol Hill July 14.
Staff Sgt. David E. Vogt III, the assistant legal chief for the office of the
staff judge advocate, Headquarters and Support Battalion, was selected for his
work ethic and volunteerism, said Rob Colenso, the vice president of marketing
and development for Army Times Publishing Company. |
“We look for somebody who goes above and beyond the call in
all aspects of their military life,” said Colenso, who is in
charge of the awards for Military Times. “Vogt really
exemplifies everything we look for in Marine of the Year.”
Other service members recognized for their service were Army
Staff Sgt. Zachary Filip, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kylee
Bolibrzuch, Air Force Master Sgt. Rodney Deese and Coast
Guard Lt. Cmdr. Richard Angelet.
Vogt, a 25-year-old serving at Marine Corps Base Camp
Pendleton, Calif., was unaware he was even nominated until
the Military Times contacted him.
“I was completely surprised just to find out I was a
finalist,” he said. “There are great Marines across the
Corps, and I was certain that great Marines had been
nominated and |
|
Maj. Gen. Darrell Moore, the director of
Reserve Affairs Division, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.,
Andrew deGrandpr�, the managing editor of Marine Corps
Times, Staff Sgt. David E. Vogt III, the Military Times
Marine of the Year, and Adam Putnam, the U.S. Representative
for Vogt's hometown district, pose with Vogt's award during
a ceremony in Washington July 14, 2010. Vogt, the assistant
legal chief for the office of the staff judge advocate,
Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp
Pendleton, Calif., helped organize his battalion's
Noncommissioned Officer Association and served as the
inaugural president, as well as volunteered with the Camp
Pendleton Animal Shelter, local schools, blood drives and
other organizations both on and off base. |
|
the competition would be very tight.” |
|
Vogt found out later a corporal from his office and Master Sgt. Joelle Fant, his
supervisor, had nominated him separately for the award.
Being recognized by Marines junior and senior to him made the honor even more
gratifying, he said.
“The Marine Corps expects our staff noncommissioned officers to lead Marines,”
said Maj. Gen. Darrell Moore, director, Reserve Affairs Division, Marine Corps
Base Quantico, Va. “Staff Sgt. Vogt leads the old fashioned way – by example.”
Capt. Will Schmitt, Vogt's officer-in-charge, said the staff sergeant made him
appreciate advice he had received in officer training about relying on staff
noncommissioned officers.
“Anything you need (accomplished, Vogt) is already three steps ahead,” Schmitt
said.
The committee also recognized Vogt's extensive volunteer work, Colenso said.
Last year, he logged 500 hours with various organizations.
“When we invest ourselves in the community around us, (we don't) just improve
the community but (we) improve ourselves,” Vogt said. “It makes our country
stronger, and it makes our Corps stronger.”
Vogt started volunteering at his church when he was in middle school and
continued to donate his time until he left for boot camp. After joining the
Marine Corps, Vogt helped organize the Noncommissioned Officer Association for
his unit, and continued his volunteer work with several organizations on and off
base. The work load is high, but Vogt said he is just doing what he expects out
of himself.
“All I do is go to work, lead Marines, take care of Marines and do my job,” he
said. “Volunteering and mentoring, that's what I believe a leader of Marines is
supposed to do.”
Vogt's current efforts involve helping young adults prepare for college, but he
plans on cutting back his volunteer hours to spend more time with his wife,
Alicia, and his seven-week old son, Joseph.
“With my first son, I couldn't be a prouder dad,” he said. “By toning back the
hours, it gives me an opportunity to teach (my) values to my son.”
Vogt will be deploying to Afghanistan later this year. This will be his first
combat deployment.
“I'm looking forward to finally get that opportunity,” Vogt said. “We join the
Marine Corps to join the fight and protect the freedoms that we all enjoy.” | |
Article and photos By USMC LCpl. Benjamin Harris
Headquarters Marine Corps
Copyright 2010
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
Comment on this article |
|
