MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Having a sincere appreciation for automotive engineering, Cpl. Erix A. Quinteros applies it in his day-to-day duties at 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, garnering him a much sought-after recognition as the 2014 Maintenance Technician of the Year, May 11.
Marines are submitted for the Motor Transport Awards Program for their outstanding contributions to the maintenance and transportation communities. Headquarters Marine Corps then evaluates the nominees based on criteria of their technical knowledge of military vehicles, work ethic and overall workload.
“I am proud to receive the award,” said Quinteros an automotive technician with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28. “Working on vehicles has always been a passion of mine. My job requires me to ensure maintenance is properly performed and to inspect all vehicles before they are cleared for Marines to use.”
According to Quinteros, the vehicles that the Marines of the squadron maintain are vital to the squadron’s mission. As a noncommissioned officer, Quinteros is directly responsible for ensuring the vehicles that move the squadron’s Marines and data equipment are ready at a moment’s notice.
“Quinteros shines a positive light on the squadron’s maintenance section,” said Staff Sgt. Scott M. Grimmer, the maintenance chief with MWCS-28. “He performs above what is expected of him and he is excelling very quickly.”
Since his arrival at Cherry Point in 2014, Quinteros has been a leader and a positive example, said Grimmer. Quinteros picked up his job quickly, and had the initiative to ask questions to get the job done correctly.
“Quinteros continuously takes initiative and motivates his fellow Marines,” said Grimmer. “He has a vast knowledge of the trucks we maintain and he is always striving to learn more and better himself.”