Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay -- For those who take pride in their work, safety is an important factor in ensuring the task is done correctly and by standards.
On Aug. 18, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 gave away the first Safety Warrior of the Month award to Petty Officer 2nd Class Darren Marsicola, metal smith/painter, MALS-24, Marine Aircraft Group 24.
“He is the first one that we have ever awarded,” said Gunnery Sgt. Shawn C. Hill, staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, quality assurance, MALS-24, MAG-24. “Every month the different shops nominate a Marine or Sailor for this safety award.”
Each section submits their nominations to the quality assurance office and they pick the one who followed the practices and procedures, worked safely and created a safe work environment for others during the month.
Marsicola was chosen for the award because of the extra effort he has taken to ensure he doesn’t use excessive paint that would potentially harm the environment, said Hill. He also coordinated with the base environmental department to determine how much paint can be used in a day in attempts to preserve the surrounding Hawaiian environment and protect the health of his fellow workers.
“I’ve been tracking the amount of paint that is sprayed in order to stay within the limits of the Department of Health,” said the 26-year-old. “I also ensure that the equipment is operating correctly in order to perform a job.”
The Canyon Lake, Calif. native joined the Navy in January 1999, after achieving his high school diploma. He decided to join the military because he wanted to try something different and more challenging than regular jobs, he said.
Since joining the Navy, Marsicola has been deployed to Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Bahrain, England, Portugal, Turkey, and has participated in the Kosovo campaign, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, something he said was very rewarding.
“Being deployed to all these places makes me feel like I’m accomplishing something,” he said. “The most memorable deployment would be being deployed to OEF the second time because it gave me a chance to put my skills to work, and there was a purpose for me being there. Yes it’s hard on the family, but once it’s done it’s done, and it’s nice to have the memories that you gain from it.”
Marsicola has been married to his wife, Kristina, for two years and is the father of a 14 month-old son, Dylan.
The seven-year veteran said he is currently studying for an aeronautical degree because it fits right in with his job.
Though he still does not know what his plans are after he gets out of the Navy, Marsicola said he has plenty of time to think about it.
“I plan on staying in for the full twenty years,” he said. “It’s more challenging than any civilian job out there and it’s something different. It’s everything that I want in a job.”