MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Of all the bulk fuel specialists in the Marine Corps, one went above and beyond the others and was rewarded for his hard work.
Corporal Tyler P. Saffore, a bulk fuel specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, received the Bulk Fuel Specialist of the Year award, Dec. 3, 2014, at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
After winning such a prestigious award, one might become arrogant, but not Saffore, he gave all of the credit to the Marines in charge of him.
“It is very important to me personally, but I think it’s more of a reflection of our squadron as a whole,” said Saffore.
Saffore believes he earned this award because his noncommissioned officers and staff NCOs taught him well.
“If this squadron and the Marines around me weren’t great, I wouldn’t have had all the opportunities to learn what I did and I wouldn’t have won this award,” said Saffore.
Chief Warrant Officer Luc P. Brennan, squadron fuel officer with MWSS-171, said Saffore is just being modest. No matter how much Marines are taught their job, it would not matter if they didn’t apply what they’ve learned.
“Yes, I do believe the NCOs and staff NCOs here molded him into the Marine he is today, but I definitely think Saffore is self-motivated, he has a drive to be better than his peers,” said Brennan.
Saffore successfully fulfilled NCO roles in the shop as a lance corporal.
“As a lance corporal, he was responsible for the safe issue of 371,700 gallons of aviation fuel for 254 aircraft,” said Brennan. “I think that’s significant because you don’t typically see a lance corporal fulfilling that role.”
As a lance corporal, Saffore performed more than 47 fuel quality surveillance tests, which ensured the aviation fuel was within Marine Corps standards.
He was specifically chosen by the squadron fuel officer to support the issue of 2,333 gallons of aviation fuel to two MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircrafts during Exercise Forest Light in Camp Aibano, Japan.
“We saw the potential in Saffore when he first got here and he not only met, but surpassed all our expectations,” said Brennan.
Saffore said he believes his desire to learn more caused the Marines above him to see his potential, which led to winning the award.
“Some people come into the fleet relying on what they already know, but you have to be eager to learn,” said Saffore. “We have great leadership here and they’re willing to teach you, so you have to be willing to learn. I took every opportunity that was given to me.”
Saffore said he believes being eager to learn makes you a better Marine all around.
“I would tell anyone who just got to the fleet to strive to learn, and once they learn it, strive to teach,” said Saffore.