MOS 75XX
In recognition of his exceptional performance as the Marine Officer Control Executive Officer from September 23, 2023, to February 3, 2024, Second Lieutenant Jeffrey C. Butters demonstrated outstanding leadership, selflessness, and dedication by facilitating the training of over 250 Student Naval Aviators (SNA) attached to Marine Aviation Training Support Group-21 (MATSG-21) at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Recognizing the significant downtime available while completing pre-requisites prior to NIFE, Second Lieutenant Butters voluntarily assumed the demanding role of Student Executive Officer (XO), a position traditionally filled by hand selected, high-performing Marines. This role required exceptional time management and dedication, as he simultaneously balanced his own rigorous academic responsibilities with the significant leadership demands of the XO billet.
In his voluntary role, Second Lieutenant Butters served as the essential link between the Marine Officer Control (MOC) staff and the Student Naval Aviators, directly enabling the success of 253 Student Naval Aviators. He expertly assigned, mentored, and motivated the staff of six platoons, ensuring they were prepared and equipped to execute their duties to the highest standard. His proactive leadership extended to organizing weekly sync meetings with key billet holders to coordinate tasks, training, duty schedules, and community relations efforts, while also addressing feedback from the MOC Staff to optimize operations.
Second Lieutenant Butters' tireless efforts and willingness to serve selflessly elevated the operational effectiveness of the unit and directly contributed to its success. His decision to voluntarily take on this role not only enhanced the readiness of the unit but also set a powerful example for his peers to emulate, fostering a culture of professionalism and dedication. Without his efforts, the unit would not have achieved the same level of coordination and effectiveness. His contributions also enabled the MOC Company Commander to focus on higher-level tasks, improving overall leadership capacity within the command.
7509 Current Operations Oficer
MERITORIOUS SERVICE WHILE SERVING AS CURRENT OPERATIONS OFFICER, MARINE WING HEADQUARTER SQUADRON 2, 2D MARINE AIRCRAFT WING FROM MARCH 2019 TO JULY 2021. MAJOR STEPHENSON SERVED AS THE CRITICAL LINK FOR THE WING IN THE MANAGEMENT AND TASKING OF OVER 3000 AIR SUPPORT REQUESTS SUPPORTING II MARINE EXPEDITONARY FORCE AND JOINT FORCES. HE PERSONALLY DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED NEW PROCEDURES TO PROVIDE ACCURATE APPORTIONMENT AND ALLOTMENT PROCESSES FOR ALL AIR SUPPORT IN THE WING. HE ALSO COORDINATED AN AERIAL REFUELING CONTRACT WORTH OVER 4.6 MILLION DOLLARS AND A RED AIR CONTRACT WORTH 6.6 MILLION DOLLARS TO SUPPORT SQUADRON TRAINING PLANS. DUE TO COVID-19 AND CANCELLATION OF WEAPONS AND TACTICS INSTRUCTOR COURSE 1-20, MAJOR STEPHENSON'S INITIATIVE AND ACUMEN WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN COORDINATING THE TIME CRITICAL RETROGRADE OF OVER 30 AIRCRAFT AND 900 PERSONNEL BACK TO THE EAST COAST. FINALLY, HIS MANAGEMENT OF WING WIDE HURRICANE EVACUATIONS AS WELL AS GLOBAL FORCE MOVEMENTS THROUGHOUT HIS TENURE WERE KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF THE WING. BY HIS NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, PERSEVERANCE, AND DEVOTION TO DUTY, MAJOR STEPHENSON REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HIM AND UPHELD THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.
7596 Logistics and Aviation Safety Officer
MERITORIOUS SERVICE WHILE SERVING AS LOGISTICS OFFICER AND AVIATION SAFETY OFFICER, MARINE ATTACK SQUADRON 223, MARINE AIRCRAFT GROUP 14, 2D MARINE AIRCRAFT WING, FROM OCTOBER 2021 TO MARCH 2025. AS THE LOGISTICS OFFICER, CAPTAIN BRUNNER DISPLAYED EXPERT MANAGERIAL SKILLS AND FORESIGHT IN PLANNING AND EXECUTING FOUR DEPLOYMENTS FOR TRAINING INCLUDING ONE IN SUPPORT OF EXERCISE COLD RESPONSE 22 IN BODO, NORWAY AND A DISTRIBUTED AVIATION OPERATIONS EXERCISE. DUE TO HIS LEADERSHIP, THE UNIT MOVED OVER 440 SHORT-TONS OF EQUIPMENT, 50 AV-8B HARRIERS, AND 699 MARINES AND SAILORS BETWEEN SIX SEPARATE BASES. AS THE AVIATION SAFETY OFFICER, HE SUCCESFULLY COMPLETED 18 INVESTIGATIONS BOTH AT HOME AND WHILE DEPLOYED. IN 2023, MARINE ATTACK SQUADRON 223 WAS AWARDED THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS AVIATION SAFETY AWARD DIRECTLY BECAUSE OF CAPTAIN BRUNNER'S SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE AS THE AVIATION SAFETY OFFICER. AS AN AV-8B PILOT, HE EARNED QUALIFICATIONS IN THE AV-8B THROUGH WEAPONS TRAINING OFFICER, FLYING 355.7 MISHAP FREE FLIGHT HOURS. CAPTAIN BRUNNER'S BOLD LEADERSHIP, WISE JUDGEMENT, AND COMPLETE 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.
Flight Lead
FOR HEROIC ACHIEVEMENT WHILE SERVING AS FLIGHT LEAD WITH HELICOPTER SEA COMBAT SQUADRON EIGHT FIVE, DET ONE, SUPPORTING OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM IN THE AFRICOM THEATER. LIEUTENANT COMMANDER MILLER LED A FLIGHT OF TWO AIRCRAFT AND 12 U.S. PERSONNEL INTO A HIGH THREAT ENVIRONMENT IN ORDER TO EXTRACT FOUR PARTNER NATION SOLDIERS THAT HAD BEEN WOUNDED BY A LARGE IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE. LIEUTENANT COMMANDER MILLER PLACED HIS AIRCRAFT BETWEEN ENEMY FIRE AND THE EXTRACTION LZ, EXPOSING HIS AIRCRAFT TO ENEMY FIRE IN ORDER TO DRAW FIRE AWAY FROM FRIENDLY FORCES ON THE GROUND. DUE TO HIS ACTIONS, FOUR PARTNER NATION SOLDIERS LIVES WERE SAVED. LIEUTENANT COMMANDER MILLER'S COURAGE AND PROFESSIONALISM REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE. THE V DEVICE FOR VALOR IS AUTHORIZED.