The Word Is Out
On the last day of June, Schuster and I got called in 1stSgt Holt's office (for a completely NAM-unrelated reason) and he mentioned I had an award sitting on his desk. When Schuster and I got back in the DSID area, I asked Sgt Williams what award did 1stSgt Holt mean.
"It's your NAM," Sgt Williams replied.
I thought, "Holy shit, it got approved!" Schuster and Cpl Williams (from 28th Comm Squadron) had always made it sound impossible to get one. According to Cpl Williams, the Squadron has only awarded 1 NAM in two years (to Cpl Monroe). Schuster said they had changed the rules by which they award NAMs, only 1 out of 50 Marines are considered for it or something like that. So, I didn't want to get my hopes up. It's like what mom always said, "Expect the worst, but hope for the best."
That morning was also the first time Schuster heard I had been submitted for a NAM. It was worst from his point of view because it actually got approved. He felt that I stole a NAM that should have gone to someone in his Squadron. I didn't tell anyone in 28 Comm Squadron about my NAM because there was always that chance it could get denied and I was afraid they might share Schuster's point of view.
"You don't deserve a NAM," Schuster joked.
"Thanks Schuster," I replied coldly.
"I'm going to take your NAM and tear it," he threatened.
"You're so mean, man."
He laughed.
Approval Process
I don't know how NAMs gets approved, but the signature on my NAM is from LtCol Stone who is the Commanding Officer of 28 Comm Squadron, the equivalent of a Battalion Commanding Officer in 8th Comm.
I do know how a NAM gets initiated. Someone had to submit me for one, and we all know Sgt Williams did that in early May (Episode 18). From what Cpl Williams told me, all the officers from the Lieutenant all the way to the Lieutenant Colonel would have to agree that the recipient deserve the award.
"It's not everyday all the officers agree on something," Cpl Williams remarked.
Beginning of July
I know that promotions and award ceremonies generally happen around the beginning of the month. News that 8th Comm's new Commanding Officer, LtCol Sweeney, was visiting Al Asad added to my general excitement especially after Sgt Williams told me they will try to get him to be present during the ceremony. July 1st came and went. I saw some newly promoted folks. One of them is Gunnery Sergeant Smith. He got promoted to Master Sergeant. I saw pictures of Wire Platoon and the promotion ceremony they had. I thought somehow that my award ceremony would just fall within another platoon's promotion ceremony. I did not expect it would be a ceremony of its own.
The Ceremony Preparation
On July 3rd, I found out my award ceremony would be at 1600, by the big satellite where the 8th Comm guys are. I didn't know who would be present. I was slightly anxious since I have not been a participant in any ceremony since I got promoted to Lance Corporal way back in June of 2004. GySgt Tate prepped us PFCs on how the ceremony would go. Sgt Williams prepped me this time around. He pulled me aside and demonstrated to me how it will go. Cpl Weller was grooming me, making sure my cover was all squared away, as I have a tendency to put it on crooked. GySgt Partin gave me the final prepping before the ceremony began.
The Ceremony
It was a small ceremony, but the people that were present made a big difference. LtCol Sweeney (8th Comm BN CO), LtCol Stone (28 Comm Squadron CO) and 1stSgt Corbin (8th Comm Bravo Co's 1stSgt ), the 1stSgt Holt (28th Comm Squadron's 1stSgt), Lt Lane (28th Comm Squadron, Alpha Company CO), Lt Torres, MSgt Smith, GySgt Jackson, GySgt Partin, MSgt Dubay (head of Data Platoon) just to name a few. SSgt Stanton, Sgt Williams, Cpl Weller and the other 8th Comm guys were present as well.
The ceremony went almost without a hitch. Lt Lane had a hard time pinning the NAM on me. I was trying to hold my bearing as he and the 1stSgt Holt were whispering to each other how difficult it was to pin the NAM on me. 1stSgt Holt was whispering if Lt Lane needed a hand. I was trying not to laugh. There we were in the heat, 110 degrees or so, and the NAM just would not cooperate. Lt Lane is also very tall, and I'm very short by comparison to him, which was probably why he had a hard time pinning it on me.
After he pinned the NAM [medal] on me, I faced the formation. Lt Lane spoke a few kind words about me and 8th Comm, augmenting what was written on the NAM certificate. Schuster caught it on video and here's a transcript as best as I could make it out:
"...day on stay on that everything the best and then some. The network-monitoring tool that was mentioned in the write up there is utterly amazing. They make our job here so much more proficient and we're so much better of what we do because of the initiative that this Marine took. He is the epitome of all the Marines that are here from 8th Comm. Everything that you guys do and touch is professional, is top notch, everything you do. This Marine has done everything therein to pertain. He knows how to do his job. We've had him advice us in other aspects. He's just been a jack of all trade. And it is a pleasure to be able to give this award to him in front of Lt. Sweeney, LtCol Stone, LtCol Stoyer, First Sergeant. This is what me being who I am is all about to watch a Marine, a Lance Corporal, step up to the plate and do whatever it takes to get the job done and do it at the level at which he does it at all times. Because he performs his job at level so high above the grade that he wears on his collar. Because it's not about that, it's about this. It's about the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. He epitomizes that and he does it every single day. And I appreciate what he does and I appreciate the leadership [at 8th Comm] for sending us a Marine of this caliber to work out here.... You guys get essential [in audible] and it shows every day of all you 8th Comm Marines."
As is tradition after an award or promotion ceremony, everyone shook my hand afterwards. When Sgt Williams shook my hand, he said "Don't think this was just handed to you, Sin. You truly deserve it." He patted me on the back and moved on. That actually felt good.
LtCol Sweeney shook my hand and congratulated me and told me to stand by when everyone is done so we can get a picture together. When I did get around to taking that picture with LtCol Sweeney, I had the privilege of also having LtCol Stone on the same picture too. The Commanding Officer of 8th Comm and 28th Comm Squadron both at my side for a photograph, how about that?
"You are the most talked about Marine in 8th Comm," LtCol Sweeney happily remarked.
"Is that right, sir?" I replied.
First Sergeant Corbin
After mostly everyone had left 1stSgt Corbin stayed behind and motions for me to come to him.
"Come here, Marine," he ordered.
I hurried towards him. He shook my hand and grabs my NAM [medal].
"You don't deserve that, give it here," he grabbed my medal.
I leaned back to avoid him, but he still managed to reach me. At that moment, I thought of Schuster, who was standing next to me. It was his dream come true, for someone to rip my NAM off of me.
We both laughed.
"You can take it off now devil dog. You don't want to be walking around the chow hall with your NAM still on you," he explained.
In much the same way Lt Lane had a hard time pinning it on me, 1stSgt Corbin had a hard time taking it off of me. And when he finally got it off of me he put it inside my left breast pocket and gave me a friendly slap on the chest (which made me cough), his spin-off of a Marine Corps tradition of slapping the chevron of a newly promoted Marine.
"Here, show me that damn thing [NAM certificate] and let's see what lies they've got written on it," he joked.
I laughed.
He read through the whole NAM certificate and told me it was "good shit" (Marine Corps slang for good job). We chatted for a little while and just before we parted, he shook my hand for real this time and congratulated me for a job well done.
LCpl Schuster
Of course, the day wouldn't be complete unless I mention Schuster. After the ceremony and we got back in the Tin Can. Schuster extended his hand to me.
"Congratulations, Sin," he said solemnly.
"Thanks Schuster," I replied in near amazement.
This is one of those rare moments when Schuster is actually serious and sincere. Too bad it only lasted for a few seconds. After we were done shaking hands, he was back to being Schuster, always playing devil's advocate.
"I still think you don't deserve a NAM," he joked.
"Why can't you, for once, be happy for me Schuster?" I asked.
"Because why do they give you a NAM for something you enjoy?"
"I don't know."
"It's not like you were in the Tiger Team and had to run cables all around buildings. They should give me a NAM," he complained.
"I'm sorry, Schuster. I'm sure you'll get one one of these days."
"I'll never get a NAM," he whined.
"Never say never."
Schuster did not even want to come to the ceremony in the first place. I had to pull the "friend" card before he agreed to come.
"Just one hour of your time Schuster, and I'll remember it for a life time," I pleaded.
"No, Sin. I haven't slept. I'm so tired," he whined.
"Be good a friend too, Schuster. Be a good friend too," I said in desperation.
I don't think I've ever called Schuster a friend, it only took me 5 months to utter that difficult word to him. But at the time, it felt right and if there was one person in Data Platoon I wanted there, it was him. And I'm glad he went, because when it was time to figure out who would be the photographer Schuster was the man. Having had no real experience with photography, I figured, if I couldn't trust his photographic skills I can at least trust him as a person, as a friend.
"What do you want, Sin? Pictures or movies?" he asked.
"Both. Take movies when you can, pictures when you can," I replied.
"No, Sin. Either movies or pictures," he replied anxiously.
He was getting anxious because there were way too many officers and high-ranking enlisted personnel gathering up for the formation for his comfort level. Plus I could tell he was really tired.
"Just do your best Schuster. You'll do fine. I have faith in you," I told him.
And what a fine job he did. He got some good pictures and good video footage. He was so happy and proud he got most of Lt Lane's speech on film. He was so tired by the day's end, but happy he came through for me—as I was.
Leadership at Work
Everything I have done here in Al Asad is because Sgt Williams had allowed me to. Under his guidance and leadership he fostered my desire to use my programming knowledge to help others in 28 Comm Squadron. I looked around while everyone was still gathering for the ceremony and noticed there were more Gunnery Sergeants (and higher) and Officers, than there were Staff Sergeants and below. I wondered whether all NAM ceremonies were conducted that way. All those people that went out of their way to be present for the ceremony—for a Lance Corporal at that—was quite humbling.
Sgt Williams, I could tell was proud and happy for me that day. He's had this in the works for quite some time now. A lot of hard work went into submitting this NAM and when I finally got it I felt as though it was really for the both of us.
—LCpl Sincioco
United States Marine Corps,
8th Comm BN, Support Co., Data Platoon
"The reward of a thing well done is to have done it."
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
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