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Military Service Award Winners

GEICO Military Service Award Winners For 2010

For 23 years now, GEICO has recognized and honored our Military Service Award winners. The outstanding Military members you see here and on the following pages are being recognized for their work in Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention, Traffic Safety and Accident Prevention, and Fire Safety and Fire Prevention. The recipients represent each branch of the Military including the Guard/Reserve communities. The work of these young men and women includes not only what they do for their commands, but what they do for the communities in which they live and work. GEICO is honored to be able to recognize such outstanding Military members and citizens.

Timothy M. Wells

Timothy M. Wells is the Army recipient of the 2010 GEICO Military Service Award for his work in drug and alcohol abuse prevention.

Corporal Wells is assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, United States Army garrison Hohenfels, Department of Emergency Services, in Hohenfels, Germany.

Corporal Wells served as the community drug and alcohol abuse prevention NCO from September 2009 through September 2010. According to his Garrison Commander, "the results of his efforts reduced the number of school aged first time users of over the counter medication and alcohol by 33%." CPL Wells also volunteered more than 250 hours with the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program and FMWR activities. A closing comment in the recommendation packet from his commander highlights his dedication, "CPL Wells ... is unmatched in his commitment to making Hohenfels the most memorable and enjoyable assignment for all of our Soldiers, Army Families and Civilians."

Robbie D. Johnson

Robbie D. Johnson is the Marine Corps recipient of the 2010 GEICO Military Service Award for his work in traffic safety and accident prevention.

Corporal Johnson is assigned to Company B, Headquarters and Support battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Cpl Johnson independently developed and implemented a program he calls "Project Guardian Angel" to provide a ride for Marines and Sailors who consider themselves too inebriated to drive their vehicle. He invested a considerable amount of his personal funds to secure equipment, advertising, gasoline, cab fare, and to develop a website. His initial efforts have since been expanded by 70 volunteers. During the first three months of operation his project provided a safe ride home for more than 60 personnel. His Battalion Commander sums up his efforts by stating, "His efforts have no doubt saved lives."
Joseph M. Ford

Joseph M. Ford is the Navy recipient of the 2010 GEICO Military Service Award for his work in drug and alcohol abuse prevention.

Chief Petty Officer Ford is the leading Chief Petty Officer for the Command Safety and Medical Department of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two in Norfolk, Virginia. He is the Squadron's Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor and the designated Assistant Command Motorcycle Coordinator.

CPO Ford created the HSC-2 "Saferide Program" which provides unit members a cab ride home from any location in the Hampton Roads area as part of the unit drunk driving prevention effort. His innovative work with the unit Motorcycle Safety Board ensured that all unit motorcycle riders were 100% qualified to operate their vehicles and greatly enhanced unit motorcycle safety results. His attention to detail in fire safety earned HSC-2 a "Best on the Sea Wall" designation during the 2010 Navy Occupational Safety and Health inspection.
Jeannie S. Washington

Jeannie S. Washington is the Air Force recipient of the 2010 GEICO Military Service Award for her work in drug and alcohol abuse prevention.

Master Sergeant Washington is assigned to the 15th Medical Operations Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

MSgt Washington greatly enhanced the alcohol and child abuse prevention awareness of over 9,000 community members by directing the partnership among five military installations, 10 DOD helping agencies, and a local school in support of Red Ribbon Week and the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Abuse Awareness Month. Her superb leadership contributed to Team Hickam being awarded a $950,000 federal grant to partner with state and local agencies to reduce underage drinking, resulting in a 60% decrease.

During her off-duty time, MSgt Washington co-chaired the DOD "That Guy" campaign for her installation, designed to increase awareness of problems and risk factors associated with binge drinking.
Michael C. James

Michael C. James is the Coast Guard recipient of the 2010 GEICO Military Service Award for his work in drug and alcohol abuse prevention.

Petty Officer James was assigned as the Chief of Training for Training Center Yorktown's Electronic Technician's Class "C" Schools in Yorktown, Virginia, when he was recommended.

PO James volunteered many hours at the Laurel Shelter for battered women in Gloucester County and at the Boys and Girls Club in Newport News, VA. This lead to his certification as a Rape and Sexual Assault Advocate and allowed him to tutor children of domestic violence victims and Boys and Girls Club members in the areas of traffic safety, fire safety, and drug avoidance and dangers. PO James planned two off-duty volunteer events and encouraged several "C" School students to volunteer their time in the execution of those events. At the last event PO James gave a presentation on the Coast Guard to more than 50 children and young adults, which culminated with a tour of a USCG small boat.
Lynne M. Lutz

Lynne M. Lutz is the National Guard and Reserve recipient of the 2010 GEICO Military Service Award for her work in drug and alcohol abuse prevention.

Petty Officer Lutz was assigned to the Navy region Midwest, Reserve Component Command, at Great Lakes, Illinois, when she was recommended.

PO Lutz attended the Drug Education for Youth Summer Camp 2010 at Volk Field, Wisconsin, to work with 18 at risk youths between the ages of 9 and 13. As the Campaign Drug Free Coordinator she went to eight schools in Illinois and Wisconsin and spoke to children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. She received accolades from the schools for the presentations. PO Lutz volunteered more than 20 hours a month at the Kenosha YMCA. She focused her efforts to serve as a role model for at risk youths and to teach them that they have choices in life. Her exceptional efforts served as a demonstration that sports could help keep them on a positive path. PO Lutz's commanding officer declares that ... "Petty Officer Lutz sets the bar high for others to emulate."