MARINE FORCES RESERVE, New Orleans -- Sgt. Denise Mason, assistant operations chief, 4th Supply Battalion, a Norfolk-Va. native, was announced as the Marine Corps League’s Reservist of the Year Aug. 8.
Master Sgt. Patricia Harewood, battalion admin chief, 4th Supply Battalion, submitted the recommendation in June. Harewood said Mason worked diligently during the 2007 annual training season to ensure 4th Supply Battalion units would have the resources necessary to complete their annual training. Mason coordinated travel for large and small groups, wrote letters of instruction for the units, and developed matrices to track the Marines as they traveled from one place to another for training.
Mason made herself available to solve problems such as ticket and gear issues and stranded Marines while keeping her superiors updated about the changes in the situation. Her work was crucial in coordination of food, billeting and work selection during the Personnel Temporary Augmentation Program at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
According to Harewood 4th Supply Battalion was instrumental in the development of Quantico Viper, a formal predeployment in Quantico, Va. Mason assisted in many of the crucial aspects of monitoring the Marines progress, contacting personnel and ensuring that transportation went smoothly for over 700 Marines. She helped maintain the Marines records and made sure that those records went were they belonged.
“At first I was surprised,” Mason said about hearing she was to receive the award. “It’s a great honor and I appreciate my leaders submitting me for the award.”