Announcement of the Calendar Year 2024 DC M&RA Personnel and Programs Recipients

1.  Non-statutory awards boards reviewed over 80 
nominations spanning several award categories, as announced in 
references (b) through (h). Amongst a field of highly qualified and 
genuinely outstanding nominees, the Deputy Commandant (DC) for 
Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA) takes pleasure in congratulating 
the following recipients of the 2024 DC M&RA Personnel and Programs 
of the Year:  
a.  Administration Marine of the Year (E1-E3): (Non-Funded, Local 
travel)
Lance Corporal Eric RamirezLeyva, Marine Detachment Fort Gregg-Adams, 
VA.
b.  Administration Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: 
Sergeant Dante Abad, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Lejeune, 
NC.
c.  Reserve Administration Noncommissioned Officer of the Year 
(SMCR/IMA):        
Sergeant Andre L. Sims Jr, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, 
Okinawa, Japan.
d.  Administration Staff Noncommissioned Officer of the Year 
(E6-E7):  
Gunnery Sergeant Cristian J. CabreraRodriguez, Personnel 
Administration School, Camp Johnson, NC.
e.  Personnel Officer of the Year: 
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Wyman L. Wedding, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 
San Diego, CA.
f.  Manpower Officer of the Year (O1-O3): 
Captain Kimberley J. Heller, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp 
Lejeune, NC.
g.  Civilian Administrator of the Year (GS4-GS8): 
Mrs. Carolyn Culberson, Installation Personnel Administration Center, 
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC. As per reference (i), 
funding for this category is currently on hold.
h.  Civilian Analyst of the Year (GS9-GS12): 
Mr. Adrian Grange, Marine Corps Installation West, Camp Pendleton, 
CA. Per reference (i), funding for this category is currently on 
hold.
i. Personnel Administration Center of the Year: 
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA.
    (1)  Funding and travel for categories listed in paragraphs b-i 
above will be covered by the Secretariat (SEC).  The point of contact 
is Master Gunnery Sergeant Eric Arriaga, at eric.arriaga(at)usmc.mil.
j.  Career Planner of the Year: 
Staff Sergeant Matthew P. Pirkle, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st 
Marine Air Wing, Okinawa, Japan.
    (1)  Funding and travel for the category in paragraph j above 
will be covered by Manpower Management (MM) Division. The point of 
contact is Master Gunnery Sergeant Lisa Marshall at 
lisa.marshall(at)usmc.mil.
k. Active Reserve Career Planner of the Year: 
Staff Sergeant Mariah A. Soto, Intelligence Support Battalion, Force 
Headquarters Group, New Orleans, LA.
    (1)  Funding and travel for the category in paragraph k above 
will be covered by Marine Forces Reserve (MFR). The point of contact 
is Master Sergeant Kristina M. Perieff at 
kristina.perieff(at)usmc.mil.
l. Postal Marine of the Year (E4-E7): 
Staff Sergeant Juan C. Solis Jr, MCI-West, Marine Corps Base Camp 
Pendleton, CA
m.  Child Development Center Staff of the Year: (Non-Funded, 
Local travel)
Ms. Maria Davis, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA
n.  Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) and Victim Advocate 
(VA) of the Year:  1stLt Elizabeth A. Hosie, 1st Marine Division, 1st 
Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA.
    (1)  Funding and travel for categories listed in paragraph l 
through n listed above will be covered by Marine and Family Programs 
Division (MF). The point of contact is Ms. Kari A. Ratcliffe at 
kari.ratcliffe(at)usmc.mil.
o.  Equal Opportunity Advisor of the Year: 
GySgt David L. Emerton,  MCAS Iwakuni , Marine Corps Installations 
Pacific.
    (1)  Funding and travel for the category in paragraph o above 
will be covered by the Military Plans and Policy (MP) Division. 
Master Gunnery Sergeant Griselda Benavides, at email: 
griselda.benavides(at)usmc.mil.
p.  Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) Marine of the Year 
(E5-E8): 
Staff Sergeant Daniel P. Bannan, Marine Corps Installations West, 
Camp Pendleton, CA.
    (1)  Funding and travel for the category in paragraph p above 
will be covered by Business and Support Services (MR) Division. The 
point of contact is MGySgt Michael Huff, email: 
michael.huff(at)usmc-mccs.org.
2. Award recipients must submit a command board photo and a biography 
(maximum of 200 words) to the Marine Corps Association (MCA) and 
Secretariat points of contact listed in this MARADMIN by 30 May 2025.
a.  Award recipients will be officially recognized at the Marine 
Corps Association Manpower & Reserve Awards Dinner, scheduled for 
10 July 2025, at the Hilton Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road, 
Alexandria, VA.
b.  Attire. Award recipients must wear the Service 'A' uniform for 
servicemembers or business attire, including a coat and tie or a 
cocktail dress, for civilian personnel. While recipients are not 
required to speak, they will be present on stage to accept their 
awards.  All guests are required to wear business attire.
c.  Additional Funding and Travel Information. Rental cars are 
available at the parents' command or personal expense.  For 
categories listed in subparagraph 1(a) through 1(p), except for 
categories in subparagraphs 1(g) and 1(h), the MCA will cover the 
travel arrangements for one guest of each award recipient's immediate 
family, as outlined on the Recipient Form from MCA.
d.  All applicable award recipients in categories listed in 
subparagraph 1(a-f)(i-l)and (n-p) must inform the MCA's point of 
contact of the additional attendee no later than three weeks before 
the event and complete the MCA Manpower and Reserve Affairs Programs 
Award Recipient Information Form, which will be provided by the MCA.  
MCA will reimburse the guest's travel per the instructions provided 
in the Recipient Form.  Additional guests can be added, however will 
be personally funded by the award recipient. 
3.  Per reference (g), para 4.b.(3)(b) page 3-2 and 3-3, commands are 
directed to submit a DC report when significant administrative, 
commendatory, or adverse action by the MRO occurs that requires 
immediate reporting to CMC. The Marines listed above are subject to a 
service-wide eligible award; begin section I of all DC reports by 
stating the reason for submission. 
4.  Congratulations to all personnel who were nominated.  Your 
noteworthy performance and passion for providing superior 
administrative support to fellow Marines, Civilian Marines, other 
Service personnel, and their families are truly inspirational.  
5.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Michael J. Borgschulte, 
Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.