Two Sacramento COIs receive top tier award

SACRAMENTO -- The U.S. Army Recruiting Command added a medallion to its tool

bag of awards to rightly recognize Soldiers, Department of Defense civilians

and community leaders who have made a significant impact to the recruiting

effort.

Two Sacramento Recruiting Battalion center of influencer's -- Lucie Marx

Titus and Cindy Beck -- were the first to receive the U.S. Army Recruiting

Excellence Medallion at a ceremony on Dec. 14, 2011, at the California

Military Museum.

"It was completely unexpected," Titus said following the presentation. "I

was astonished that I had been selected for this honor."

Titus, who holds office with Association of the United States Army (AUSA),

has been a long-time supporter of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command. "I have

felt completely at home with USAREC albeit a bit frustrated because of my

inability to do more," Titus said. She credits the current command group and

Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Chuck Duray for allowing herself and other COIs

to be active within the Sacramento Recruiting Battalion Grassroots Board.

Beck admitted that receiving the Medallion was one of the highlights of her

career. "I felt honored and appreciated for any and all efforts I have made

to promote the mission of the Sacramento Recruitment Battalion," Beck said.

"I am humbled by the receipt of the Medallion . I feel I am just doing

something I believe in - in a small way."

This award has brought the Grassroots Board to the attention of Beck's

colleagues and administrative leadership at the California Department of

Education where she works. "I was able to describe the work of a COI and the

Grassroots committee and gain their interest and support as a result of the

recognition."

Beck knows the power of the Grassroots Advisory Board. Prior to her

involvement, she had no idea about the opportunities and resources that are

offered by the Army to all students, whether they are interested in the

military or not. "As citizens of our great nation, we need to support

military efforts that protect our freedoms, but we also need to provide

access to resources to all our youth in obtaining and meeting their

potential," Beck said.

The Sacramento Recruiting Battalion Grassroots Board was a vision more than

three years ago and officially stood up May 2010. Led by Dr. Lance Izumi

(president) and Cindy Beck (vice president), the group meets three to four

times a year in different settings.

"The committee selects key personnel that integrate business, education and

military leaders to discuss upcoming community events and address concerns

and creative ways to improve community issues," Beck said.

Titus feels strongly that the focus should be on the Soldier and knows the

Grassroots Board members share that sentiment. "The seated individuals are

not only committed to the members of the recruiting command but to each

individual Soldier," she said.

Izumi recognizes that Beck and Titus have both been an integral part of the

committee since its inception. "The Army could not have bestowed its

prestigious Recruiter Medallion on two more deserving individuals than Cindy

Beck and Lucie Titus," Izumi said. "Cindy's service as vice president of the

Grassroots Advisory Board and Lucie's many years of service as a leader in

the AUSA and other support organizations are shining examples of what the

civilian community can do to help the Army meet its mission and make our

nation stronger."

BREAKOUT BOX

U.S. Army Recruiting Excellence Medallion for Soldiers and Civilians This

Medallion may be awarded to Soldiers, Department of Army civilian personnel

and community leaders who have made a significant impact to the recruiting

effort. Those nominees within the U.S. Army Recruiting Command must

demonstrate qualities that promote the Army Values; demonstrate competence;

establish and maintain a climate of integrity, mutual trust, confidence and

respect by maintaining open communication and dialog with subordinates,

peers and leaders. Those nominees outside USAREC must be an advocate for the

U.S. Army and Army Reserve; be supporters of the U.S. Army Recruiting

Command; promote and demonstrate Army Values; assist with the Army's mission

through their enormous influence, through projects and/or teaming with the

U.S. Army to create part-time work for students, recent graduates and Future

Soldiers awaiting departure to Initial Military Training.

- Source: USAREC Message No. 11-243