MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- The Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center’s G-8 Comptroller Directorate was presented a certificate of commendation during a ceremony Nov. 11 from the MCAGCC commanding general, Brig. Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, for their exceptional work over the past year.
The directorate’s mission is to define, determine, acquire, defend and execute the fiscal resources needed to support the MAGTFTC and MCAGCC using an integrated team of expert analysts.
“What we do is get the financial resources to support what our mission wants us to focus on,” said Lt. Col. David Bernatovich, the assistant chief of staff, G-8.
According to the certificate of commendation the G-8 staff performed in a superb manner demonstrating unparallel success in providing budgeting and accounting support, funds management, and financial oversight which fully supported the complex MAGTFTC and MCAGCC mission.
Bernatovich, a native of Nanticoke, Pa., attributed the directorate’s success to the estimated 35 civilian personnel who worked hard to appropriate funds for the Combat Center’s many financial needs and to make sure those funds were spent efficiently.
“I can’t thank them enough,” said Bernatovich. “They realize they are not just spending money, but supporting the mission of the Combat Center.”
Lance Raymond, the budget officer for the Combat Center, said he believed the directorate’s success was due to the good communication between the G-8 staff and other staffs throughout the Combat Center.
Raymond, who spent four years as an active duty Marine, said he was pleased to see the hard work and dedication of his coworkers recognized because the directorate does not receive the same attention as other Combat Center offices or units.
“I think it’s a huge honor,” said Raymond, a native of Fayetteville, Ark. “It’s reaffirming that they’re doing a good job.”
Sandy Anseth, the training command budget officer, said she too attributed G-8’s success to the directorate’s ability to communicate with the command’s staff sections and Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Calif., and the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., who also use the money G-8 acquires.
Anseth, who spent 11 years as an active duty Marine, also credited the G-8 staff and their ability to disperse funds efficiently so MAGTFTC and MCAGCC do not have future budgets cut and can easily locate resources needed to support last minute mission requirements.
The Lancaster, Pa., native also said the award helps the directorate maintain its motivation and move forward with its goal of helping the Combat Center meet its financial needs in a timely manner, and find money not only for mission essentials, but also for those nonessential that contribute to improved quality of life.
She added it was nice that the efforts of G-8 were recognized, and believes the award will help motivate the directorate toward future mission success.