MERITORIOUS SERVICE WHILE SERVING AS STAFF NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER IN CHARGE, RECRUITING SUBSTATION DOUGLASVILLE, GEORGIA, 6TH MARINE CORPS DISTRICT, MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT/EASTERN RECRUITING REGION, ATLANTA, GEORGIA FROM APRIL 2021 TO JANUARY 2023. DURING THIS PERIOD, STAFF SERGEANT VALERIE PERFORMED HIS DUTIES IN AN EXEMPLARY MANNER. HE SHIPPED 37 POOLEES, MAINTAINED A 100 PERCENT RATE ON TIER ONE CONTRACTS, OBTAINED 36 GROSS CONTRACTS, AND ATTAINED 101 PERCENT OF HIS ASSIGNED CONTRACTING MISSION. LEADING FROM THE FRONT, HE ENGAGED THE COMMUNITY THROUGH AGGRESSIVE COMMUNITY RELATIONS EVENTS, BY WORKING WITH THE PARENTS OF POOLEES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY BY ENGAGING KEY INFLUENCERS IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. DUE TO HIS BROAD EXPERIENCE, LEADERSHIP, AND PROVEN ABILITY TO MENTOR AND PRODUCE QUALITY RESULTS, HE WAS HAND SELECTED TO BECOME A CAREER RECRUITER AND RECEIVE THE PRIMARY MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF 8412. STAFF SERGEANT VALERIE'S PROFESSIONALISM, PERSEVERANCE, AND DEDICATION TO DUTY REFLECTED CREDIT ON HIM AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.

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4821 Career Counselor

Sergeant Farish is strongly recommended for the Navy Commendation Medal for his superior service while serving in the following billets for Battalion Landing Team 1/2 from 1 July 2011 through 18 August 2012: Battalion Career Planner, Head quarters Company Sergeant of the Guard, Battalion Cruise book representative, Battalion Color Sergeant, Battalion Combined Federal Campaign drive Coordinator, and Unit Transition Counselor. His performance in filling these critical billets has been nothing short of extraordinary. He is a hard working and productive Non-Commissioned Officer, who continues to make a positive impression on this command while working out of grade. His "Can-Do" attitude and decisiveness provided great dividends in the critical billets he filled.

In July 2011, Sgt Farish assumed the role of Battalion Career Planner for approximately 1200 Marines assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/2. This critical and demanding job, normally performed by a Staff Sergeant, placed Sgt Farish's daily performance in full view of Battalion and Company level leadership and he eagerly took charge. Adding to the challenge, the previous Career Planner transferred early and the billet was gapped for over a month. Sgt Farish Immediately stepped into the Battalion and began to make a positive impact on the Marines he counseled. His personal approach to each Marine's situation showed in his work and the way the Marines came to seek his guidance on career and personal matters. During the final three months of FY 2011 he processed 2 Marines for reenlistment via special reenlistment programs while performing required counseling for 130 Marines. In FY 2012, Sgt Farish has processed 9 FTAP reenlistments and 15 extensions while performing required counseling for 640 Marines. For FY 2013 Sgt Farish has submitted 45 FTAP reenlistment requests as well as 43 Careerist requests varying from Special Duty Assignments to reenlistments, extensions, and lateral moves.

During his time with the Battalion Sgt Farish has been chosen to fill several key billets due to his exceptional organizational skills and abilities as a project coordinator. Sgt Farish was assigned the duty of Combined Federal Campaign unit coordinator and immediately showed why he was the right choice for the job. Sgt Farish ran a program at BLT 1/2 that led all of 2d Marine Division by collecting over $27,480 in contributions.

As the Headquarters Company SOG, Sgt Farish ensures that the watch schedule is submitted to all sections and that all posts are manned. The watch schedule is normally posted by the Company Gunnery Sergeant. Sgt Farish took the initiative and made the schedule himself to ensure the posts were manned. He personally coordinated the posts for cohesion between the sections and ensures that all sections are notified of their watch shifts in a timely manner.

As the Battalion Cruise Book Rep, Sgt Farish is responsible for collecting photo submissions from the companies and turning them in for inclusion in the MEU cruise book. Additionally, Sgt Farish is responsible for the overall handling of the cruise book orders, collecting the money, and finally issuing the cruise books to the respective companies within the Battalion. During a training stop in Kuwait, Sgt Farish was part of the advanced party selected to go ahead of the main Battalion and set up the area for the Marines.

Sgt Farish again proved his adaptability in becoming the Information Management Officer for the unit and working with the Army to initialize the computer accounts for all the Marines present, Sgt Farish also planned and organized a BLT field meet in Kuwait as part of a 4th of July celebration. Sgt Farish also serves as the Unit Transition Counselor, in this role he ensures that each Marine understands the benefits they have as they separate from the Marine Corps and the opportunities available to attend college classes or trade school. This is a very important role and Sgt Farish again shows how personal he takes his job by sharing his experience in getting out of the Marine Corps with each Marine he speaks with.

In addition to accomplishing these professional goals; Sgt Farish has devoted personal time to the community in volunteering with youth sports programs, local schools and the L.I.N.K.S. program as part of the "Staying Marine" class given to Marines and their families.

Sgt Farish has dedicated himself to his trade and his work in all tasks is above exceptional. His experience and career path make him an excellent Career Planner and he is dedicated to providing the best guidance possible to Marines to assist them in achieving their career goals. He conducts thorough research and communicates effectively. He is proud to be a Marine and it shows in the way he conducts himself both professionally and personally. Sgt Farish's exceptional abilities as a Career Planner and Marine are the sole reason for the success of the Career Planning program at BLT 1/2. His outstanding achievements are most deserving of the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.