March 12, 2014, New Orleans – Marine administrative message 089/14 announced the Marine Corps recipients of the 2013 Geico Military Service Award. The award recognizes one active-duty enlisted member from each military service, and one member from the reserve/national guard components, for their outstanding contributions to civilian and/or military communities in areas of drug and alcohol prevention, fire safety and prevention, or traffic safety and accident prevention.
The Reserve component’s 2013 recipient was Gunnery Sgt. Kenneth J. Kuper, the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of transition section, Tenant Activities Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. Kuper’s selection was based on his contributions to fire safety and prevention.
“For Gunnery Sgt. Kuper, his volunteer service is exceptional because of his tremendous dedication,” said Maj. Andrew D. Dausman, Reserve Continuation and Transition Branch officer, Reserve Affairs Division, Headquarters Marine Corps. “Seven hundred eighty-one fire and emergency medical services calls in a single year is a tremendous accomplishment.”
In the last two years, Kuper has contributed approximately 4,000 duty hours to the Falmouth Volunteer Fire Department. Throughout this period of exemplary service, he pursued continuous education in fire science and public safety. He successfully completed 200 hours of coursework with the Virginia Department of Fire Programs and the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.
An award ceremony will be held in Washington, DC, during April 2014. For information on the other recipients of the award see MARADMIN 089/14.