Goodfellow Marine earns Order of Merit Published March 20, 2012 By 2nd Lt. Leanne Caballer 17th Training Wing Public Affairs SAN ANGELO, Texas-- -- Johnny Griffin, Chairmen of Commerce in Military Affairs, honored Marine Staff Sgt. Craig Casipe, Goodfellow Air Force Base Marine Corps Detachment, with the Order of Merit Award at the Chamber of Commerce Meeting held at Stephens Central Library, March 13. The Order of Merit is presented to a service member who demonstrates outstanding service to country and community. There were four nominees for the award; one from each branch of service. Griffin voiced his admiration for the Marine by saying the staff sergeant was so devoted he doesn't know "how Casipe finds time to sleep." Casipe is the course supervisor and curriculum developer for the Korean cryptologic course at Goodfellow. He has devoted more than 240 hours to course development and has provided more than 1,900 hours of course instruction. He also coordinates and executes all Marine Corps martial arts training for the detachment's second platoon. Casipe trains Marines five days a week, accumulating more than 400 hours of instruction. He also administered more than 80 tests, allowing Marines to earn higher Marine Corps Martial Arts Program belts. He has demonstrated MCMAP techniques at Santa's Market, Community Appreciation events and the Boy Scout Camporee. Casipe hit the ground running when he was elected San Angelo Bulldog Association President, making the organization a nationally recognized non-profit organization by earning the Internal Revenue Service certification. He also established the Lance Cpl. Elias Torrez III Memorial Scholarship in honor of a local Marine who was killed in 2004 during combat operations in Iraq. The scholarship awards $500 annually to a deserving high school student from San Angelo. Casipe was named Senior NCO of the Quarter and Team Goodfellow Volunteer of the Year in May 2011. "He is an excellent staff sergeant of Marines," said Marine Capt. Douglas March, Marine Corps Detachment Commander. Casipe was the first volunteer coordinator for the Marine Corps detachment. He tirelessly organized 70 volunteer events including the National Sclerosis Society Walk, Critter Shack Pet Adoption drives, DESK school supply drive and the Feds Feed Families food drive. Casipe personally devoted more than 300 hours coordinating and participating in the events he established. Casipe's motivation toward reaching out beyond the lines of duty and choosing to be heavily involved in the community made him the perfect candidate for the Chamber of Commerce's Order of Merit, Griffin said. "Casipe serves as an example to emulate," he added.
