An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Photo Information

Sgt. Timothy Pattison makes his plate during a luncheon dedicated to the nominees of the Service Persons of the Quarter Award at the Boathouse in Beaufort, N.C., Nov. 15, 2016. Pattison earned this award for going above and beyond while volunteering in the local Carteret County community. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army Reserves gathered to honor their selected service members who were chosen for the award. Pattison is an automotive maintenance technician for Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cody Lemons/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Cody Lemons

VMU-2 Marine honored as the Service Person of the Quarter

7 Dec 2016 | Lance Cpl. Cody Lemons 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

The award for Service Person of the Quarter is reserved for exemplary service members who have put others before themselves. Sgt. Timothy Pattison earned the honor for his exemplary actions, not only in his duties as a Marine, but in the local community as well. He joined the other recipients from the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army Reserves during a luncheon and ceremony at the Boathouse Restaurant in Beaufort, N.C., Nov. 15, 2016.

Not new to volunteering, Pattison has constantly served others during his time as a Marine, receiving 11 letters of appreciation, one certificate of appreciation, and five meritorious masts for his performances while giving back. Since arriving to the area, he has accumulated over 50 hours of community service with different organizations, including the Carteret County Humane Society and the Carteret County Wildlife Shelter, within the Carteret County area. Pattison is an automotive maintenance technician assigned to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

“I’ve tried to be involved in absolutely everything I can,” said Pattison. “I immediately went to the Single Marine Program and asked them what I could do for the community and what volunteer opportunities they had available.”

The SMP afforded Pattison opportunities to volunteer with local organizations such as The Boys and Girls Club and local animal shelters to help make a difference in the community.

 “Every weekend they would tell me about two volunteer opportunities and I would go do them,” said Pattison. “It’s not about the hours you put in, it’s about the impact you make during your short stay here at the air station.”

Although Pattison thoroughly enjoys volunteering now, that wasn’t always the case. Pattison has developed a new appreciation for volunteering after seeing what it does for the community. 

“Honestly, at first I didn’t enjoy it [because it was mandatory]. Over time, you notice the people you affect, and see how happy the people are.”

Earning this award is one of the biggest accomplishments of Pattison’s life thus far.

“This is actually the most significant thing awarded to me in my entire life,” said Pattison. “To have people recognize what I’ve done is very humbling. I really don’t think I deserve something like this. I’m just glad to have people recognize that I’m trying to help out.”

By volunteering regularly, Pattison hopes to spread knowledge that Marine Corps is giving back to the local community that has been so supportive of the armed forces in the area.

“I want people to realize that we aren’t just the number one fighting force in the world,” said Pattison, “but the number one helping hand in the world as well.”

Pattison has a message for anyone to anyone who wants to volunteer: it’s worth it.

“If you are ever thinking about how to better yourself as a person, just go out and volunteer,” said Pattison. “After I started volunteering, I noticed I felt like a better person and that’s why I do it as much as I can.”


More Media

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing