ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill.-Jeffrey Cruz, chief of the Enterprise Resource Planning Systems Analysis and Reporting Division at Joint Munitions Command, recently was honored with the 2013 Military and Civilian Meritorious Service Award for the U. S. Army by the Department of Defense and the National Organization for Mexican American Rights, Inc.
The NOMAR Meritorious Service Award honors military members and DoD civilian employees who support the DoD mission and overseas contingency operations, and who demonstrate role model qualities and the core values of their respective military services or agencies.
"Mr. Cruz embodies the type of proactive foresight and leadership that encourages fostering focused career development activities, equal employment opportunity, and taking care of people. His accomplishments both at work and home indicate he is an individual that is truly worthy of this award," said Maj. Gen. Kevin G. O'Connell, commanding general of JMC from 2012 to 2013.
In addition to Cruz' ERP duties, he serves as the program manager for Army Materiel Command's Army Workload and Performance System at JMC, and is the Hispanic employment program manager for JMC.
As the Hispanic employment program manager, Cruz disseminates federal job information to the Hispanic community. Cruz represents JMC as a member of the Quad Cities Bi-State Hispanic Coalition which promotes communication, coordinates event schedules, develops partnerships and publicizes programs and services for the Hispanic Community.
In 2012, Cruz initiated a series of articles in "Hola America," an English/Spanish newspaper, which spotlighted Hispanic employees at Rock Island Arsenal while educating the public about potential careers within the federal government.
Cruz also serves on the committee for the Minority College Recruitment Program, an internship program in which minority college students work for government agencies, locally at Rock Island Arsenal, for 10 to 15 weeks. Students gain work experience and learn about opportunities in federal careers. This past spring, Cruz was a project manager and mentor of an MCRP intern.
Even outside of work, Cruz is involved in assisting the Hispanic community.
As a young man, 30 years ago, Cruz became involved in martial arts and always thought about teaching it to children.
"I know what it's done for me, and wanted to help others," said Cruz. "I wanted to provide an alternative to participation in expensive sports or to joining a gang."
Several times a week, Cruz mentors kids in the Hispanic community through teaching the Japanese martial art of Shorinji Kempo, which focuses on defense techniques and life philosophies.
Cruz teaches kids to protect without injury and to become productive members of society. In addition, Cruz and his fellow teachers invite speakers who talk to kids about bullying, staying out of trouble, school performance and the ramifications of personal actions.
Parents have told him that his program has had a positive effect in their children's lives.
"I always encourage other leaders to get out there and mentor young people," said Cruz. "It can really make an impact on them."
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