MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Sergeant Maria Fuentes, separations NCOIC, finance off-ice, was one of three recipients of the Beaufort Marine of the Year Award, presented by the Rotary Club of Beaufort earlier this month for her outstanding leadership and professional excellence.
Though she'd been named Noncommissioned Office of the Year for H&S Bn. earlier this year, the humble Marine never expected to be nominated for the Rotary Club award.
Fuentes said she received a call from H&S Bn. Sergeant Major Rodney Robbins, telling her the good news.
"He said I had been nominated for an award and I said, 'for what?'" said Fuentes.
Though Fuentes shares no affiliation with the Beaufort Rotary Club, she is still flattered to have won the award.
"I felt honored because one of the other recipients was a gunnery sergeant and I'm just this little sergeant," said Fuentes. "I don't even really know why I got the award. I wish I knew who nominated me so I could thank them."
As part of the presentation, Fuentes received a Beaufort Marine of the Year plaque and a $50 check.
Aside from being meritoriously promoted twice, Fuentes has also completed numerous courses, such as Corporal's Course, Sergeant's Course, all of her Marine Corps Institute courses and more, but it was her striking personality that put her over the top, said Master Sgt. James Wilson, finance chief, finance office.
"She's an outstanding Marine," said Wilson of the San Antonio native. "She's not shy at all-she's a real go-getter. She was nominated by the Depot for the award because she was the Marine of the Year for the Depot, and because out of all the packages that were submitted, hers was the most impressive."
Even though others may view her as such, Fuentes doesn't really see herself as a "go-getter," but simply a Marine trying to do the best job she can.
"If someone tells me to do something, I do it. I'm not one of those people who says 'oorah' everyday, that's just not me," said Fuentes.
"She may not consider herself a go-getter, but I do," said Wilson. "She's the platoon sergeant for our office, she takes care of the [physical training] program and the training schedule," said Wilson.
Winning the award was immediately overshadowed, because Fuentes is preparing to attend Drill Instructor School July 7.
"I hate to lose her, but she's doing a really good thing for her career," said Wilson.
After being named NCO of the Year in October, 2002, Fuentes said she strives to uphold the standards that are expected of her, even more so than before.
"I feel like I have to be on top of everything, I can't be all nasty because there will be lance corporals looking at my every little mistake and saying 'oh, she won Marine of the Year,'" said Fuentes.
After being accepted into DI School in January, Fuentes received tips from a former drill instructor, and started a PT program to better prepare herself for the challenges that lie ahead.
"I PT almost everyday and on weekends I go to the gym," said Fuentes. Also, on Tuesdays and Thursdays I do a 'boots and utes' run."
Fuentes not only better prepared her body, but also challenged her leadership abilities by playing the role as Battalion Commander in the H&S Bn. "NCO run the battalion day."
As part of her psuedo duties, she not only made sure the battalion ran smoothly throughout the day, but also conducted a mock non-judicial punishment on a Marine for "spousal abuse," and voiced her opinion on whether or not a Marine should be administratively separated.
Fuentes said her favorite part of leading Marines is setting a positive example for them to live by.
"It's a good thing to set a good example," she said. "I've seen a lot of good leadership, but I've also seen a lot of bad leadership up the chain and I've seen how it affects junior Marines."
Her biggest goal, however, is not necessarily to leave the drill field a better leader, but simply a better Marine.
"I just plan to meet more people and experience new things," said Fuentes. "My biggest goal is to learn more as a Marine because you can always learn more by meeting new people, whether it be good or bad. I just want to walk out of here with more knowledge than I came here with."