MCB CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Leaders from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune accepted the second consecutive and 10th overall Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence during a virtual ceremony earlier this week.
Paul D. Cramer, assistant secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment, made the formal presentation to the installation acknowledging Camp Lejeune’s winning tradition up front. “I think this is a return engagement,” he said. “You guys are doing great things—hurricane recovery, spending over $2 billion, and out of that, I know Camp Lejeune will be a more resilient installation. I hope to see you next year.”
The competitive presidential award, established by President Ronald Reagan in 1985, recognizes exceptional performance by one installation from each service that has sustained their mission, increased productivity and enhanced the quality of life for service members, their families and civilian employees.
In the summary of accomplishments achieved by MCB Camp Lejeune over the past year, the Department of Defense noted that “MCB Camp Lejeune continued to serve as a premier location for the training of joint, coalition and NATO forces against the backdrop of another year dealing with the global COVID-19 pandemic.”
The DoD also highlighted the installation’s efforts to manage 66 military construction and repair projects valued at $2.2 billion in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, while the Cyber Security Branch pioneered and accredited the first Marine Corps Defense Level 3 Common Controls package and the Qualified Recycling Program generated $1.7 million of revenue, the second highest in the Marine Corps.
Also noted in MCB Camp Lejeune’s selection to receive this award for excellence were eight Food and Hospitality Excellence awards; a USMC Fire and Emergency Services Fire Prevention Program of the Year award; an Emergency Medical Services Provider of the Year award; a Secretary of the Navy award for Environmental Restoration; a Restaurant of the Year award; six signed intergovernmental support agreements with the state and local municipalities that achieved a cost savings of $194,000; the establishment of the Marine Corps’ largest Utility Energy Services Contract with Duke Energy that added energy resilience and infrastructure improvements; North Carolina’s recognition of Camp Lejeune Community Schools as a Purple Star District; fiscal prudence, quality-of-life improvements, numerous family support and recreation programs; force protection initiatives; environmental stewardship; and innovative business practices that achieved significant improvements in base operations.
“There’s something special here,” said Brig. Gen. Andrew M. Niebel, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations East-MCB Camp Lejeune, when sharing the accomplishment to hundreds of military and civilian personnel gathered at the base theater, June 6. “For those who have been around the other base stations, you know what I'm talking about. This is that pixie dust. It's a great family that we have here at Camp Lejeune.”
For more detailed information about the Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence and MCB Camp Lejeune’s accomplishments, visit https://www.acq.osd.mil/EIE/.
To download photos from this ceremony, please visit: https://dvidshub.net/r/3qwhxk.