RADM George Patrick March Award 2012

RADM G. P. March

Commander, U.S Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet announced Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Georgia as the 2012 winner of the Command Language Program of the Year, also known as the Rear Admiral G.P. March Award.

NIOC Georgia's Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) 1st Class Michael H. Gray was announced as the Language Professional of the Year winner. The awards program recognizes the best language professionals in the Fleet Cyber Command domain and the winners will be nominated to compete at the Navy-wide level. 

"This is another example of great Sailors doing great work while deployed around the globe and here at NIOC Georgia - committed both to mission and to personal and professional excellence," said Captain James Brokaw (one of the Navy's best Russian linguists in the mid-1970s), NIOC Georgia Commanding Officer, and Commander, Task Force 1050. "This selection is an honor for us and will motivate us to achieve even greater results in the coming year," said Brokaw. 

NIOC Hawaii received honorable mention for the Command program and Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) 1st Class Kate E. Greifzu, NIOC Maryland, received honorable mention for Language Professional of the Year. "This program recognizes the best language professionals in our domain and all command nominees should be rightfully proud of their accomplishments," said Vice Admiral Michael S. Rogers, Commander, U.S Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet.

Notes from RADM G. P. March - Commander, Naval Security Group Command 1974-1978

Greatest Satisfaction – that when I retired, I left the Naval Security Group Command in outstanding shape. It was a smooth functioning organization, both headquarters and field stations. I had confidence in the personnel at all levels of command. I experienced the warm feeling that the professionalism of our people was unmatched elsewhere in the Navy.

Greatest Disappointment – That we didn’t have another flag officer to wear my other hat (Op-944). I think both jobs suffered by my having to split my time between Nebraska Ave. and the Pentagon. The Communications people had the luxury of two flags: one for NAVTELCOM and one for Op-941.

From RADM G. Pat March's letter to me in July 2008 discussing the highs and lows he experienced while Commander, Naval Security Group Command from 1974-1978 (during the period I underwent language training and was assigned as a CTI2 at U.S. Naval Security Group Misawa, Japan in 55 Division (Direct Support -Submarines).