Posted on 01/17/2006 6:17:04 PM PST by SandRat
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Jan. 17, 2006) -- Six-year Navy veteran, Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher D. Baird, was presented the Thomas A. Christensen Jr. Award Dec. 16, for “going above and beyond the call of duty,” according to the award citation.
The Cordell, Okla., native, a corpsman with 2nd Dental Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, was selected from three contestants – one from each MLG.
The Thomas A. Christensen Jr. Award is presented to a dental technician in recognition of significant contributions to the Navy and the Fleet Marine Force.
Baird is one of 15 Sailors to receive the award since its birth in 1996.
“Baird’s contributions were instrumental in improving the operational readiness of supported Marine units,” according to ALMAR 042/05.
The award is usually given to dental technicians, however; in this case it was different.
October 1, 2005, Baird transitioned from a dental technician to a hospital corpsman for cross-training reasons.
“The Navy and Marine Corps needed more corpsman, so they trained all the dental technicians and made them corpsman,” said Baird.
Although, Baird felt he was only doing his job when he was nominated and selected for the award, this marks the greatest accomplishment in his career, according to Baird.
“I’m a very humble person,” said Baird. “So, it’s always nice to be recognized for doing something you would normally do.”
Baird’s not sure what his future plans in the Navy are, but he’s on his way to reaching his personal dreams.
Baird recently received his certification as an Emergency Medical Technician in the state of North Carolina.
“My goal is to obtain my paramedics and nursing licenses and eventually become a flight nurse,” said Baird.
In 2008, when Baird’s current enlistment culminates, he plans to move to Fort Smith, Ark., to be with his wife and eight-year-old son.
Smiling Corpsman PING
BTTT
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