An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | May 18, 2022

Marine Corps Forces Pacific Marine Recognized for Volunteer Efforts

By Staff Sgt. Brett Norman U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii -- The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii sponsored a Military Appreciation Month virtual ceremony in which U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Brandon Brown, an administrative specialist with Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, was recognized along with members of each of the services, 6 May. Brown’s nomination came as a result of his contributions to the community through his volunteer work.

Brown, a native of Tacoma, Washington, joined the Marine Corps in 2018. “I needed a challenge in my life,” said Brown. “There were people who didn’t think I could do it and I wanted to prove them wrong.” Following training, Brown received orders to Installation Personnel Administration Center, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, for duty as an administration specialist. Two years later, he received orders to Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.

Since joining in the Marine Corps, Brown has made volunteering in the community a priority of his. "I enjoy helping people," said Brown. "I feel that through volunteer work, you not only impact lives on a personal level, but you help make the world a better place." Through his volunteer work, Brown supported the missions of the Water4Life nonprofit and Marine Corps Community Services, working diligently to improve the quality of life for those in need or far from home.

In 2021, Brown also volunteered to be a Single Marine Program representative, a program intended to support single Marines and Sailors by designing and planning recreational activities and events and increasing community involvement.

The purpose of the virtual ceremony was to show appreciation for the sacrifices and contributions of past and present service members. Attendees included Hawaii’s governor, the Honorable David Y. Ige, and Adm. John C. Aquilino, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. "It`s an absolute honor," said Brown. "I don`t volunteer for the recognition; I do it because I want to, but to be recognized for something so important means the world to me."

Other recognitions Brown received over the last few years include the President`s Volunteer Service Award, an award presented in bronze, silver, gold, and lifetime achievement, recognizing the important roles of volunteers in America. Brown received a bronze award in 2020 for volunteering a total of 166 hours, and a gold award in 2021 for volunteering 306 hours. Additionally, Cpl. Brown was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal on 5 May, for volunteer service over a sustained period of time.

Brown states he will continue to volunteer in his local community, wherever that may be once he departs Hawaii. “It does not matter where you are,” said Brown. “It`s about giving back what you can, and you can do that anywhere.”
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                      

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
USS Howard visits Otaru
SAGAMI WAN, Japan (Jan. 24, 2023) USS Howard (DDG 83) conducts small boat operations off the Japanese coast. Howard is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy's largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet's principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Morgan Bollinger)
Feb. 7, 2025 - USS Howard (DDG 83), forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, as part of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, arrived at Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan on February 7, 2025, for a scheduled port visit...

Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's Call with Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin
Readout graphic
Feb. 7, 2025 - Department of Defense Spokesman John Ullyot provided the following readout:...

USFJ Alliance Evolves: Multilateral Partnerships, training at core of C2 Modernization efforts
SASEBO, Japan (Nov. 6, 2018) - Assistant air officer Lt. Cmdr. Rich Mehlmann explains basic flight deck procedures to midshipmen and cadets from Republic of Korea Navy, Army and Air Force academies during a tour of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) at Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo. Wasp, flagship of Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, is forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet.
Feb. 7, 2025 - The U.S.-Japan Alliance remains a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and the Alliance is now even more necessary amidst an increasingly severe security environment, according to government...

USINDOPACOM Commander addresses Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense
USINDOPACOM PRESS RELEASE GRAPHIC
Feb. 7, 2025 - Twenty-six Indo-Pacific nations participated in a virtual Chiefs of Defense forum hosted by Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on February 4, 2025...

Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's Call With Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh
Readout graphic
Feb. 6, 2025 - Department of Defense Spokesman John Ullyot provided the following readout:...