5974 Tactical Data Systems Crew Chief

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN THE SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES WHILE SERVING AS TACTICAL DATA SYSTEMS CREW CHIEF AND PLATOON SERGEANT, EARLY WARNING AND CONTROL DETACHMENT, MARINE AIR CONTROL SQUADRON 2, FROM JUNE 2017 TO AUGUST 2020. DURING THIS TIME, SERGEANT SYKES DISPLAYED UNPARALLELED LEADERSHIP AND INITIATIVE SHOWN BY TANGIBLE RESULTS WITHIN THE DETACHMENT. SERGEANT SYKES IMPROVED DETACHMENT PHYSICAL STANDARDS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PERFORMING AS TACTICAL DATA SYSTEM MAINTENANCE PLATOON SERGEANT, LEADING OVER 40 MARINES IN MULTIPLE ASPECTS OF TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY. SERGEANT SYKES SUPPORTED AND SUPERVISED WEAPONS AND TACTICS INSTRUCTOR COURSES 1-19 AND 2-19 AS CREW CHIEF, TOTALING OVER 600 HOURS OF CONTINUOUS FLIGHT OPERATIONS DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTING TO A FULLY OPERATIONAL TACTICAL AIR OPERATIONS CENTER. SERGEANT SYKES'S INITIATIVE, PERSEVERANCE, AND TOTAL DEDICATION TO DUTY REFLECTED GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.

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5979 Air Defense Systems Technician

Throughout the year, Sergeant Zhigimont exhibited his leadership, initiative, and technical experience in every position and billet he held. When confronted with adversity amid situational chaos, Sergeant Zhigimont habitually established a steadfast, calm, and level mindset, characteristics of a leader that should be sought after in a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). As a mentor to his junior Marines and advisor to his superiors, Sergeant Zhigimont's is depended on for his expertise. Determined and proficient in this work, the prolific results he produces confirms that he is vital to the success of the mission.

While attached to 2D LAR Bn, Reconnaissance, Counter Reconnaissance (RXR) Company, Sergeant Zhigimont participated in four Littoral Exercises (LEX). During these exercises, he supervised and tested the capabilities of the Marine All Domain Command and Control (MADC2), Mini MOJO (Move Out/Jump Off), and Virtual Aegis Weapon System (VAWS), effectively permitting the targeting of actionable data. He continually maintained the connection between participating units through JREAP C with sensors over MUOS radios.

As the Maintenance Chief for Tomahawk Thunder 23 and MISTEX 3-23, Sergeant Zhigimont supervised and ensured the proper conduct of maintenance and setup of the Aviation Command and Control System (AC2S) was completed. This ensured that maximum data capabilities would be available during each exercise. He provided a thorough functions check of the AC2S and other command and control (C2) systems such as an Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS), which produced fully automated support for planning, coordinating, controlling, and executing fires and effects. If not for Sergeant Zhigimont's oversight and aptitude working with the C2 systems, air support operators would not have been able to integrate fires and live sorties within their airspace. Throughout both operations, he was responsible for 2.03 million dollars of Direct Air Support Center assets and the facilitation of multiple data links, including Link 16, J-Voice, JREAP A, and JREAP C, which were pertinent to the mission success.

Sergeant Zhigimont served as the Platoon Sergeant, of the Communication and Electronics Maintenance Platoon within Bravo Company, a billet normally held by a Staff Sergeant. As a newly promoted Sergeant, Sergeant Zhigimont demonstrated a level of maturity that far exceeds that of his rank. Beyond his normal duties as a senior technician and Platoon Sergeant, Sergeant Zhigimont also holds the Military Occupational Specialties of Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival (MCIWS) and Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor (MAI). Outside of running the physical fitness program within the company, Sergeant Zhigimont trained Marines in water survival and martial arts skills and techniques, improving the skills of over 200 Marines across the Marine Aircraft Wing.

Sergeant Zhigimont proves to be an exceedingly valuable and vital asset within the Marine Corps and certainly within MASS-1. He constantly searches for avenues of self-improvement and opportunities to challenge himself but does not claim credit for successes. Sergeant Zhigimont humbly contributes to the success of others without expectation of acknowledgement or recognition. Sergeant Zhigimont truly exemplifies the traits of a Non-Commissioned Officer and seamlessly models those desired characteristics on a daily basis.

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5979 Tactical Air Operations/ Air Defense Systems Technician

DISPLAYING EXCEPTIONAL SKILL, LEADERSHIP AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SERGEANT SYKES WAS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE EQUIPMENT AND MARINES THAT SUPPORTED OVER 40 TEST AND ENGINEERING EVENTS. HIS EFFORTS LED TO IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MOBILE TACTICAL AIR OPERATIONS MODULE, AIDED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMON AVIATION COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM, AND INFLUENCED FIELDING AND ACQUISITION DECISIONS. HIS ENDURING ENTHUSIASM TOWARDS MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTED TO A GUNG HO ATMOSPHERE AMONG HIS MARINES WHICH ENABLED THEM TO MAINTAIN A HIGH LEVEL OF RELIABLE PERFORMANCE AND EQUIPMENT READINESS IN THE FACE OF A DEMANDING OPERATIONAL TEMPO. SERGEANT SYKES'S INITIATIVE, PERSEVERANCE, AND TOTAL DEDICATION TO DUTY REFLECTED GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.