The GEICO Military Service Award recognizes service members for leadership and mission accomplishments that set them apart from their peers, as well as volunteer activities and contributions that enrich their communities.

"Members of the military were among some of our very first GEICO customers," said Lona Montgomery, Head of Agency Operations. "We have formed a special bond with members of the armed forces throughout our more than 85-year history, and the GEICO Military Service Awards gives us an opportunity to honor those who have given so much of themselves to defend our freedom and build stronger communities."

The GEICO Military Service Awards have recognized members of the U.S. military for their contributions since 1988.

2023 GEICO Military Service Award Recipients

Sgt. Tia N. Johnson - United States Army

Sgt. Johnson devotes her time to support more than 74,000 veterans and family members at the Mt. Carmel Veterans Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., by providing food and essential items.

She also spends time with Gold Star families who have lost a loved one during active-duty service, specifically volunteering with the Gold Star Child Outdoor Initiatives. Sgt. Johnson's work helped provide ten Gold Star families with a once in a lifetime fishing experience.

Along with assisting military families, Sgt. Johnson also enjoys working with children with disabilities. She helps make it possible for them to attend the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, one of the largest outreach initiatives between Fort Carson, Colo., where she's stationed and the surrounding community.

While on-duty, Sgt. Johnson specializes in data science and supports an initiative that provides cutting-edge data analysis to help the army with decision-making.

Sgt. Travis E. Mann - United States Marine Corps

Sgt. Mann has joined the fight against hunger, volunteering countless hours packaging and distributing meals to homeless shelters through the Rise Against Hunger program. He also supports those experiencing homelessness by spending time with Miracle Messages, where his selfless actions led to the family reunification of more than 500 people.

Sgt. Mann's volunteer work stretches to the international community as well. While stationed in Japan, he helped with local recovery efforts after severe flooding and mudslides displaced several Japanese families near his military base.

Sgt. Mann serves as an avionics technician instructor, teaching advanced avionics to entry level students. He's well–respected for his technical knowledge and mentorship, and his students frequently complete their studies with some of the highest grade–point averages among enlisted Marines.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Ciara N. Farmer - United States Navy

Petty Officer Farmer uses her own personal journey to help inspire other women. She underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, and while recovering, she founded the Emma B.A.M. (Bras after Mastectomies) Foundation to honor her grandmother, who lost her battle to breast cancer in 2012.

The Emma B.A.M. Foundation provides bras for women around the world who have undergone mastectomies or lumpectomies, helping to give both financial and emotional support.

Petty Officer Farmer also raises awareness for breast cancer by participating in speaking engagements, most notably at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., where she emphasizes the importance of annual mammograms and self–exams.

On duty, Petty Officer Farmer serves as the leading petty officer for the supply department at the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory in Groton, Conn., where she oversees critical procurements. She also supports patients at the on–base medical and dental clinics and serves as a women's sexual assault victim advocate for her entire naval installation.

Senior Airman Danielle Ziemba - United States Air Force

Senior Airman Ziemba demonstrates strong leadership, serving as Airman Council President over more than 500 of her peers. In this role, she organized a series of seminars on career progression, education, finances, and mentorship to support her fellow airmen.

Senior Airman Ziemba has focused on making an impact throughout the state of Arkansas as well. She led a tornado relief initiative, securing more than 1,500 essential items which were donated to more than 150 individuals recovering from this natural disaster.

She also managed a team that conducted an eight–week food drive to restock Arkansas' only veteran–dedicated food pantry.

Along with helping veterans, Senior Airman Ziemba focuses on youth education as well. She led a team of volunteers who raised $24,000 to support the Central Arkansas Library System and the Arkansas Humanities Council.

While on duty, Senior Airman Ziemba is committed to safety. She designed a chemical management system for 131 maintenance shops, which led to her being selected as the Air Force's Bioenvironmental Engineering Airman of the Year. Along with chemical management, Senior Airman Ziemba led efforts to update ventilation operating procedures, which resulted in the addition of 31 ventilation systems at Air Force installations.

Sgt. Yuji R. Moore - United States Space Force

Sgt. Moore has devoted countless hours using his technical expertise to help individuals with autism by partnering with an application development company to test specially adapted video chat software. His volunteer efforts and assistance with the testing has helped advance facial recognition technology, promoting accessibility for some 75 million people impacted by autism spectrum disorder.

Sgt. Moore also serves as an exemplary ambassador for the Space Force. He joined a leadership panel where he discussed culture and team building, providing mentorship for some 2,700 attendees from across the country.

Sgt. Moore's volunteer efforts span across the international community as well. Between missions, he organized 12 volunteer events, sorting and delivering more than 6,000 pounds of food to a local resource center. His team's efforts effectively provided vital relief to 18,000 Ukrainian refugees.

While on duty, Sgt. Moore oversees critical intelligence operations. His leadership has earned him recognition as the Space Delta 7's Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award recipient and his team was awarded the United States Space Force's Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Small Team of the Year.

2022 GEICO Military Service Award Recipients

Staff Sgt. Joshua Turlington – United States Army

Staff Sgt. Turlington spends countless off-duty hours volunteering in various ways to help his local community. He often provides and serves food for families in need.

Additionally, Staff Sgt. Turlington volunteers at the Vilseck Community center near his military base in Germany, where he provides soldiers, families, and civilians a safe and fun atmosphere to get to know one another by participating in games and barbecues, and by hosting movie nights and numerous friendly competitions.

Sgt. Turlington is also passionate about helping animals and regularly works with the Humane Society. He has cared for more than 500 animals and helped nurse them back to health so they can be re-homed.

While in uniform, Staff Sgt. Turlington is responsible for gear and equipment valued in the millions.

Master Sgt. Joshua C. Gonzalez – United States Marine Corps

Master Sgt. Gonzalez's volunteer efforts focus on aiding troubled juveniles, first time college students, and teenagers facing adversity and bullying. One of his most notable accomplishments includes designing and implementing an anti-bullying campaign for the entire Los Angeles School District.

Master Sgt. Gonzalez also works with children struggling to adjust to military life by providing them with mentorship and teaching them coping skills.

On duty, Master Sgt. Gonzalez has oversight responsibilities for the maintenance and distribution of more than 28,000 pieces of military equipment. His fellow service members turn to him for his technical acumen, which has had a profound impact across the entire United States Marine Corps.

Retail Service Specialist Christopher Gray – United States Navy

Retail Service Specialist Gray has a passion for making his local community more beautiful and helping those in need. Through his volunteer efforts with the California Adopt-a-Highway program, Retail Service Specialist Gray spends time outside cleaning up along major highways. He also helps those experiencing homelessness through PATH, a re-housing program.

On duty, Retail Service Specialist Gray facilitates training and drills for 350 personnel to ensure they improve their readiness for active combat. Additionally, he is responsible for providing outstanding retail services that have resulted in a $60,000 donation from his ship's store profits to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation fund, which helps to improve morale for sailors on board his ship.

Technical Sgt. Shaun Powell – United States Air Force

Technical Sgt. Powell is an expert in fire safety, and regularly shares his knowledge with Boy Scouts and students in the Kansas City area. He teaches them safe escape techniques and shelter-in-place actions.

Additionally, he raised $80,000 for the Lee's Summit, Missouri, Fire Department's Needy Families fundraiser.

While on duty, Technical Sgt. Powell put his extensive fire safety training into action, once saving the life of a wounded soldier during a dorm fire. Technical Sgt. Powell's devotion to safety extends to vehicles as well. While on duty, he has fortified his command's accident and abuse program and orchestrated repairs to 64 military vehicles, which helped resolve a total of 739 safety issues.

His commitment to safety has earned him recognition as a Wing Superior Performer.

Aviation Survival Technician Keith Williams – United States Coast Guard

Aviation Survival Technician Williams has a passion for both sports and music. He has coached both youth baseball and soccer teams and played an instrumental role in forming youth basketball teams at his local Christian academy.

When he's not on the field, Williams can be found in rehearsals where he serves as the band leader for his church.

He also provides mentorship to at-risk middle school aged students through an after-school outreach program.

On duty, Aviation Survival Technician Williams plays a crucial role in identifying ways to improve his unit's training program. The results of his work were highlighted during the daring and safe rescue of two hikers from a cliff off the treacherous Neahkahnie Point along the Oregon coast.

Senior Master Sgt. Marla Urban – National Guard

Senior Master Sgt. Urban has devoted herself to helping military veterans. She volunteers with Passageways LTD, a non-profit organization for homeless veterans, organizing shelter, clothing, and food donations. Her work with this organization provides a path to lead veterans out of homelessness.

On duty, Senior Master Sgt. Urban was responsible for her command being recognized as the top Food Services Operation in the Air National Guard for 2022, ultimately being awarded the coveted "Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth W. Disney Food Service Excellence Award."

Additionally, she filled the role of the 184th Force Support Services Superintendent, where she led a team of 20 enlisted personnel who provided food service, fitness programs, lodging, mortuary services, and domestic operations support.