CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Some people are happy with getting by in life, being compared to the majority and hiding from the spotlight.
Others strive to be the best, master their abilities and relish the lime light.
Petty Officer 1st Class Raymond R. Price, a corpsman with the Group Aid Station, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, identifies with the latter of the two.
To go big or go home comes naturally for the Tarrant County, Texas, native. Price received the 2011 2nd MLG Senior Sailor of the Year award for his outstanding achievements and performance during the past year.
“I’m truly honored to receive this award,” Price said. “It came as a surprise to me when it happened. It is definitely a privilege to be the sailor of the year.”
Though the SSOTY award is an individual achievement, Price was quick to include his fellow sailors at the GAS.
“This award represents the effort of the entire clinic,” he said.
Price also thanked Lt. Cmdr. Shari Gentry, Senior Chief Tony Lile and Chief Petty Officer David Beason, the leadership at the GAS.
“They did a great job setting an example for me every day,” Price said. “They set high standards and challenge me to reach them. I constantly seek out their guidance and always get feedback.”
Price continues to seek out his leadership for guidance despite his extensive experience around the world. He’s been to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kabul, Okinawa, Japan, Djibouti, Africa and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on deployments, and has served as Leading Petty Officer for care units in Italy. It’s a quality he encourages junior sailors to embrace.
“Throughout my career, I had help,” Price said. “I wasn’t ever alone. [My sailors] need to be aware of the people around them, and they are there to help.”
This award wasn’t the finish line for Price, it was a checkpoint. Though grateful for the award, Price acknowledges the work isn’t done. He’s looking forward to continuing his career in the honorable fashion he’s done for over a decade.
“Just because you receive an award like this doesn’t mean you can kick your feet up and relax,” Price said. “This is where the real work starts. Now I have to prove that I earned the award and I deserve it.”