JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
Mariel Grimes was recognized as the Navy Recruiting District San Antonio civilian of the year and Petra Allen as the contractor of the year by Navy Cmdr. Karen Muntean, NRD-SA commanding officer, during an awards banquet held in Live Oak, Texas, in November 2016.
Grimes, an enlisted processing assistant at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, is responsible for insuring that all prospective applicants interested in joining the Navy are qualified medically and competitively. Her responsibilities also include ensuring documents submitted by the applicants and their recruiters are accurate and correct.
During fiscal year, Grimes reviewed more than 649 enlistment packages for enlistment. She also reviewed and prepared over 300 enlistment waivers and submitted over 1,121 medical documents for submission and review.
“Being selected as the civilian of the year was a shock to me,” said Grimes, an Army veteran and native of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. “My job gives me the pleasure of serving my country and helping young children achieve their dreams.”
According to Muntean, Grimes was nominated throughout the year for her monthly and quarterly contributions and it was the culmination of her work that earned her the selection as civilian of the year.
“Grimes serves as a critical connection for Navy applicants between the front-line recruiters and the Military Entrance Processing Station (or MEPS),” Muntean said. “She not only processes the Navy applicant’s paperwork in the MEPS Navy Liaison Office, but she personally interviews the applicants and goes above and beyond to ensure their readiness and administrative qualifications.”
Allen serves as the NRD’s waivers clerk responsible for handling all applicant waivers. During the fiscal year, she contributed to the mission by reviewing and submitting 315 medical, 15 civil and five enlisted community management waivers to higher authorities for review and approval.
“I am honored to be considered and greatly appreciate the recognition,” said Allen, a native of Erlangen, Germany. “I am very blessed to be able to serve the military and give back a little.”
Allen has served as a contractor for Navy recruiting for 17 years.
“Allen has the unique and critical position of handling various types of waivers that people need in order to be considered for Naval Service,” Muntean said. “The waivers she processes range from medical waivers to civil offense waivers. Her office is referred to “the office of second chances.”
According to Muntean, Allen takes her job seriously and is an advocate for the Navy applicants who hope to have a chance to serve their country.
Allen said she tries to keep the NRD’s reputation in high regards with Navy Recruiting Command by ensuring all waivers are complete and accurate.
“I don’t see this as a job. I see this as an honor and it never gets old,” Allen said. “I’m very grateful for all the support I received over the years.”