Visual Information and Excellence in Communication (VIEC) Awards 2018 Award Winners
This MARADMIN announces the winners of the 2018 Visual Information and Excellence in Communication (VIEC) Awards, recognizing outstanding Marines and units in communication strategy and operations across multiple categories including photography, videography, graphic design, and print media. Award winners will be honored at the COMMSTRAT Training Summit in Atlanta, GA, on 21-22 August 2019, with commands encouraged to fund travel for awardees to attend the ceremony.
Issued: July 23, 2019
1. Congratulations to the following Marines and Commands on selection as the recipients of the 2018 Communication Strategy and Operations (COMMSTRAT) VIEC Awards.<br>
2. Award winners will be recognized at the COMMSTRAT Training Summit in concert with the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association (USMCCCA) 2019 Professional Training Symposium in Atlanta, GA, from 21-22 August 2019. Commands are encouraged to fund travel for awardees to receive their award in person. Travel and lodging details for the training summit will be issued via separate correspondence (SEPCOR). Uniform for the awards banquet on 22 August is Dress Blue "A" or Service "A", in order of precedence. White trousers are required for appropriate grades.<br>
Award Recipients:<br>
Cat. A. COMMSTRAT of the Year Awards<br>
(1) COMMSTRAT Marine of the Year:<br>
Sgt Holly Pernell, II MEF<br>
(2) COMMSTRAT SNCO of the Year:<br>
GySgt Miguel Carrasco, MARFORPAC<br>
(3) COMMSTRAT Officer of the Year:<br>
Capt Hector Alejandro, JPSE<br>
(4) COMMSTRAT Unit of the Year:<br>
11th Marine Expedtionary Unit<br>
(5) Marine Corps Videographer of the Year:<br>
Cpl Jennessa Davey, MCAGCC<br>
(6) Marine Corps Photographer of the Year:<br>
LCpl Cody Ohira, 4 MCD<br>
(7) Marine Corps Communicator of the Year:<br>
Cpl Andrew Neumann, MCRD PI<br>
Cat. B. Graphic Design<br>
(1) Digital Art:<br>
1st: Sgt Elize McKelvey, CD<br>
2nd: MSgt Michael Brockelman, MCRD PI<br>
(2) Identity Design:<br>
1st: LCpl Alexis Betances, 31st MEU<br>
2nd: SSgt Branko Bilicich, MCIPAC<br>
(3) Layout and Design:<br>
1st: LCpl Peter Fillo, II MIG<br>
2nd: WO Bobby Yarbrough, MCRD PI<br>
(4) Animation:<br>
1st: Cpl Michael Parks, DMA-M<br>
2nd: Sgt Cristian Bestul, CD<br>
Cat. C. Photo<br>
(1) Photo Series:<br>
1st: SSgt Marcin Platek, MARFOREURAF<br>
2nd: LCpl Menelik Collins, MARFOREURAF<br>
(2) News Photo:<br>
1st: SSgt Melissa Karnath, II MEF<br>
2nd: Cpl Gabino Perez, I MEF<br>
(3) Feature Photo:<br>
1st: Cpl Matthew Teutsch, 11th MEU<br>
2nd: Cpl Gabino Perez, I MEF<br>
(4) Portrait:<br>
1st: Cpl Sarah Stegall, MCRD PI<br>
2nd: LCpl Savannah Mesimer, MCIPAC<br>
(5) Sports Photography:<br>
1st: LCpl Dalton Swanbeck, I MEF<br>
2nd: LCpl Stephen Beard, MCIWEST<br>
Cat. D. Print<br>
(1) Publication (unit award):<br>
1st: MCAS Iwakuni<br>
(2) Information Story:<br>
1st: Cpl Bernadette Plouffe, 31st MEU<br>
2nd: SSgt Tyler Hlavac, MCRD PI<br>
(3) Feature Story:<br>
1st: Cpl Joshua Pinkney, III MEF<br>
2nd: Sgt Dana Beesley, MCRD PI<br>
(4) Communication Plan (unit award):<br>
1st: 2nd MLG<br>
(5) Photojournalism:<br>
1st: Cpl Bernadette Plouffe, 31st MEU<br>
2nd: Cpl Luke Kuennen, MCBH<br>
Cat. E. Video<br>
(1) Short-Form Production Video (unit award):<br>
1st: MCAGCC<br>
2nd: MCRD PI<br>
(2) Long-Form Production Video (unit award):<br>
1st: CD<br>
2nd: MCBH<br>
(3) B-Roll Videography:<br>
1st: Cpl Luke Kuennen, MCBH<br>
2nd: Sgt Takoune Norasingh, II MEF<br>
(4) Multimedia Product:<br>
1st: Cpl Joseph Prado, 1st MARDIV<br>
2nd: Cpl Michael Parks, DMA<br>
(5) Video Story:<br>
1st: Sgt Andy Martinez, MARFORRES<br>
2nd: Sgt Warren Smith, DMA<br>
(5) Video Series:<br>
1st: SSgt Gregory Boyd, CD<br>
2nd: LCpl Yamil Casarreal, MCRD PI<br>
3. Release authorized by Brigadier General Sean M. Salene, Director, Communication, Headquarters Marine Corps.