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GEICO Military Service Awards honor U.S. military men and women for volunteer efforts


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WASHINGTON--April 28, 2014; GEICO is honoring six members of the military today with the 2013 GEICO Military Service Award for their volunteer work to create a safer environment for their fellow citizens in their local military and/or civilian community.

“Their dedication to improving safety is commendable, and we are honored to present these awards today.”

GEICO chairman Tony Nicely is presenting the awards at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C. “Now in its 26th year, the GEICO Military Service Awards honor military men and women not only for their service to our country, but also to their military and civilian communities,” Nicely said. “Their dedication to improving safety is commendable, and we are honored to present these awards today.”

The 2013 GEICO Military Service Award recipients are:

United States Army Sgt. Jaclyn M. Mumford, assigned to the 9th Financial Management Support Unit (FMSU), 593rd Special Troops Battalion, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State when nominated, earned recognition for her contributions to drug and alcohol abuse prevention.

Sgt. Mumford actively engages unit personnel and family members to help them better understand the hazards of alcohol and substance abuse. Her dedication to the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) program has produced significant results: her unit recently achieved more than 18 months without a drug-related offense and more than 14 months without a positive drug test. “Sgt. Mumford stands out as a leader, committed to ensuring that soldiers are trained and equipped with the proper knowledge to make better decisions that can affect the rest of their lives,” says Maj. Cody Koerwitz, her commander.

United States Marines Gunnery Sgt. Adrian C. Hunter, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of formal schools aboard the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., is being recognized for his work in fire safety and fire prevention.

Gunnery Sgt. Hunter has extensive experience as a volunteer firefighter with the fire departments in Sneads Ferry, N.C., and Topaz Lake in Gardnerville, Nev. While serving in Sneads Ferry, Gunnery Sgt. Hunter was named Onslow County Rookie Firefighter of the Year and was promoted to Third Lieutenant before moving to California. When off duty, he often volunteers to visit patients at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Reno, Nev., and is a regular blood donor at local blood drives. In 2013, Gunnery Sgt. Hunter forfeited his Fourth of July holiday to work for nine days fighting the Bison Canyon fire.

Deployed multiple times in Iraq and Afghanistan, Gunnery Sgt. Hunter relies on his extensive combat and training experience to facilitate high-risk training courses for U.S. and Allied Military personnel at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center.

United States Navy Petty Officer Keith J. Risner, assigned to the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic (NCTAMS LANT) in Norfolk, Va., when nominated and currently assigned to the Carrier Strike Group Twelve, has worked extensively on drug and alcohol abuse prevention.

Petty Officer Risner was the command’s Drug Education for Youth (DEFY) mentor, camp director and operations coordinator while also volunteering more than 890 hours at local homeless shelters, animal rescue organizations, and multiple charity events. Petty Officer Risner’s outstanding work at the DEFY program helped NCTAMS LANT receive many recognitions, including the 2013 Defense Fulcrum Shield Award, the 2012 Campaign Drug Free Award for the top youth program in the Navy and the 2011 Secretary of Defense Community Drug Awareness Award.

United States Air Force Technical Sgt. Daniele Flick, assigned to the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron in the Royal Air Force in Lakenheath, England, earned recognition for his work in fire safety and fire prevention.

As fire inspector in the Fire Emergency Services, Tech. Sgt. Flick epitomized the core values of the Air Force: integrity, service and excellence. Tech. Sgt. Flick aggressively led the fire prevention program, protecting 15,000 base personnel and $3 billion in Air Force assets. His commitment to excellence helped earn his team the Air Force Fire Prevention Program of the Year for 2012.

While off duty, Tech. Sgt. Flick established a special life safety and fire prevention program for youth, organizing and conducting 35 classes for nearly 800 kids. Tech. Sgt. Flick and his wife, Rossella, have a young daughter.

United States Coast Guard Petty Officer Mark A. Seal, a doctrine specialist to Boat Forces and Cutter Operations Branch at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown, Va., was honored for his valuable work in traffic safety and accident prevention.

Petty Officer Seal serves as the safety master at arms aboard the Training Center Yorktown and has volunteered numerous hours to improve safety awareness and motorcycle-riding skills of the members of his command and community. Petty Officer Seal completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Instructor Course to improve the consistency and quality of the unit motorcycle safety course.

In 2013, Petty Officer Seal conducted safety courses on weekends up to 60 miles from home, giving up more than 90 hours of his off-duty time to ensure training was provided to all those who sought it. He often inspects vehicles entering Yorktown security checkpoints and serves as the firearms instructor for armory staff.

U.S. Marine Forces Reserve Gunnery Sgt. Kenneth J. Kuper, currently serving as the transition staff noncommissioned officer at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va., was cited for his work in fire safety and fire prevention.

Gunnery Sgt. Kuper is being recognized for his extensive service as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician with the Munford/Atoka Fire Department in Munford, Tenn., the Springtown Volunteer Fire Department in Springtown, Texas, and the Falmouth Volunteer Fire Department in Stafford, Va. In the past year alone, Gunnery Sgt. Kuper has responded to more than 780 fire and emergency service calls, helping to save the lives and property of Stafford citizens. He has completed 200 hours of coursework with the fire department and has contributed more than 4,000 duty hours to the Falmouth Volunteer Fire Department.

In addition to his regular duties as a Marine, Gunnery Sgt. Kuper serves as the Headquarters Marine Corps Reserve Affairs Division Safety Representative and volunteers with the Marine Corps Base Quantico Volunteer Conservation Program.

The GEICO Military Service Awards have recognized members of the U.S. military for their special achievements and contributions to the civilian and military community since 1988.