I Own This: February 2021 Nominees

PS Magazine’s I Own This campaign is designed to recognize Warfighters of all services who exemplify the highest standards of care for their assigned vehicles and equipment and contribute in meaningful ways to their unit's overall maintenance and supply posture. In short, they live and breathe readiness.
 
This month, we had four Warfighters nominated for this program: two Soldiers, one Seabee and one Marine. All are deserving of this recognition. One was selected at random to get the spotlight placed on them. For February 2021, that individual is CMCN Aiden Boettcher, US Navy.
    How did you come to know/observe the nominee's actions? CMCN Boettcher works for me as one of my shop mechanics and I always see him doing preventive maintenance IAW the references.
 
Why does this individual deserve recognition? As NMCB 133 DET Rota’s construction mechanic, CMCN Boettcher was instrumental in the completion of 77 preventive maintenance checks totaling 110 man-hours on 278 pieces of construction equipment, ultimately leading to 98 percent periodic preventive maintenance accomplishment rating. He was also responsible for 60 corrective repairs, which ultimately increased equipment availability by 11 percent. He has completed multiple maintenance spot checks with unit leadership and scored “above standards” on every one of them. His motivation to complete maintenance efficiently and correctly vastly supports the battalion’s mission readiness and ensures equipment is fully mission capable (FMC).

Additional comments? CMCN Boettcher is a motivated Seabee who willingly goes the extra mile in every task he is given.  
   
Soldier's Name:       SSG Dustin J Grimes  
Unit:                          23rd Modular Ordnance Ammunition Co., 18tn Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany
Position/Title:           Motor Sergeant    
Component:             Army/Active       
NSN or End Item:     ECHU system for M1075A1 (PLS) with ECHU
Nominated by:         CPT Frank A. Che
Justification:           SSG Grimes expressed concerns for multiple damages to the support bolt for the rear slider bed assembly for M1075A1 (PLS) with ECHU system. This damage often resulted in the equipment repeatedly being non-mission capable. This affected readiness and missions across the European theater. As the senior mechanic for the company, SSG Grimes took the initiative to derive a plan in order fix this constant problem that affected the unit’s readiness and ability to perform its mission. He reached out to the local maintenance activity and submitted a blueprint of his idea. They fabricated a test product which was successfully field tested for durability for about 15 months in rough terrain. This new development enabled more pieces to be fabricated and installed on the entire fleet. Through his initiatives, SSG Grimes was able to ensure the units’ vehicles were FMC and “ready to fight tonight” in support of the 21st TSC mission across the European theater. SSG Grimes exhibits the dedication and intellect necessary to advance the Command Maintenance Program. He strives to assist fellow operators in order to maintain a ready and able fleet. SSG Grimes and the 23rd MOAC maintenance team have successfully tested and produced replicas of the item and will share this critical information throughout the BN and subsequently the BDE, which will help replace over 180 M1075A1 (PLS) with ECHU in order to improve the readiness of the platform and prevent future faults.

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Soldier's Name:        LCpl David P. Salazar ​
Unit:                          Weapons & Field Training Battalion, MCRD San Diego, Edson Range, Camp Pendleton, CA
Position/Title:           Armorer
Component:             USMC/Active       
NSN or End Item:     M16A4
Nominated by:         SGT Antonio Magana
Justification:           I met LCpl Salazar when I was the NCOIC in charge. He takes great care to ensure all work he completes is to the highest standards. This Marine was assigned with ensuring 100 percent serviceability of all weapons and optics in the unit. He diligently inspected a total of 530 M16A4 service rifles during a maintenance stand-down to ensure all discrepancies were found and corrected. He is extremely hard-working and willingly goes above and beyond in performing his duty.

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Soldier's Name:       SGT Damian Santana  
Unit:                          F Co, 3-319th Field Artillery Regiment, Ft Bragg, NC
Position/Title:           Armament NCO   
Component:             Army/Active       
NSN or End Item:    M777, M1119
Nominated by:         SFC Jesus Navatorres
Justification:           I supervise SGT Santana, who takes the initiative to maintain and repairs the weapons system that has enabled the battalion to go from a 64 percent operational readiness (OR) rate to a 98 percent OR rate in a seven-month period. This Soldier took it upon himself to create a recommended shop stock of artillery parts that enabled same-day repairs and a 30 percent decrease in NMC time. He has performed well above his grade. His ability to project shortfalls and come up with long-term solutions has enabled the battalion to maintain a constant state of readiness.