TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. -- A Pennsylvania reservist recently received an Army award as a tribute to his accomplishments. He's a decorated Marine, family man and community service advocate.
Marine Sgt. Christopher Schell was named Tobyhanna's Warfighter of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2017 during a ceremony at a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey game last month. Schell is the shop chief in the Marine Forces Reserve's Motor Transport Maintenance Section, Marine Wing Support Squadron, 472 Detachment A in Wyoming.
Schell attributes his success to the motivated Marines who passionately care about performing their duties to the best of their abilities.
"The dedicated and outstanding Marines that I have had the pleasure of serving with have endlessly pushed me to be a better leader and mentor," the sergeant said.
Schell is a diesel automotive mechanic by trade, but he also supervises the maintenance operations on the unit's tactical equipment. His duties remain the same whether performed here or abroad -- ensure procedures are performed safely and properly in an efficient and timely manner.
The seven-year veteran is very proud of what he does for the U.S. Marine Corps.
"I serve in a critical role in ensuring the unit has available resources needed to accomplish the mission," he said. "It is an honor to provide this service to the Marines and units that I have supported throughout my career."
Coworkers say Schell consistently performs his duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. For instance, the seasoned mechanic smoothly stepped in to fill the supervisory role while still performing his regularly assigned duties, according to the unit's first sergeant.
"His [Schell's] actions ensure the motor transport equipment, valued at more than $7 million, is kept in a constant state of mission readiness," said 1st Sgt. Shawn Kelly, adding that Schell is always taking advantage of opportunities to excel.
It won't be long before Schell adds certified High Intensity Tactical Training Instructor credentials to his list of accomplishments, along with the Combat Marksmanship Trainer and Coach certification.
A lot of hard work went into learning to be a proficient automotive mechanic and leader of Marines, according to Schell. "During my career I've gained knowledge and experience on managing the repair of tactical equipment and effectively employing mechanics to perform their duties in order to accomplish tasks and objectives."
While his performance within the scope of his military duties is nothing short of exemplary, Schell also serves his community selflessly, Kelly added.
It's not uncommon to see him organize, train and coordinate color guards and community events throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Quite often he serves as the lead noncommissioned officer while detailed to provide honors during military funerals. Last year, the sergeant volunteered to support the Toys for Tots program and organized more than 40 events, which resulted in the distribution of more than 50,000 toys to families and nonprofit organizations.
"I love being a Marine and working in the motor transport maintenance community," Schell said. "My family is my primary means of support and my motivation to keep pushing myself to be a better Marine, father and husband."
Schell encourages all rookie warfighters to take pride in the work they perform. Even when no one is watching.
"I perform my daily duties to the best of my ability for the mission and the Marine Corps," he said, adding that someone took notice and nominated him for this award. "I honestly was just doing my job and whatever else I was tasked to accomplish."
Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna's Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C4ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed and industry partners.
Tobyhanna's unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our Joint Warfighters.
About 3,200 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command's mission is to research, develop, acquire, field and sustain communications, command, control computer, intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors capabilities for the Armed Forces.
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