MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON -- Sergeant Andrew Price, assistant operations chief, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment faced fierce competition throughout to earn the title Division Marine of the Year.
However, as Price looks at the honor he now bears, he reflects on the steps it took to get there.
"I won the honor because I was just being a Marine," Price said.
For the Philadelphia native, the prospect of joining the military was a childhood dream. Some would say that perhaps it was father's Army influence or the fact that his family has always been service oriented.
Nevertheless, after a short stint in college, Price decided to take the plunge and join the Marine Corps.
"I figured if I was going to do something, I was going to do it right," Price said.
It was then Price found himself serving with Marine Security Forces at the presidential getaway know as Camp David, Md. After two years there Price requested orders for 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment here.
"I enjoyed my first four years in the Marine Corps. I was never alone and there were so many good times," Price said as he smiled.
However, like so many, Price left the Marine Corps in search of a "better" life.
"Being in the civilian sector is different. I found that you were always alone and no one really cared about you. In the Marine Corps there was (is) always someone there," Price said.
It was that feeling of isolation that spurred Price to re-enter.
"I originally left because I thought my wife wanted me to get out. One day I came home and told her that I was re-joining the Corps. She decided that she was going to support me no matter what," Price said.
Leaving his position as a police officer in Orange County, Price returned where he belonged. This time he found himself at 3/5 filling the billet of platoon sergeant.
Little did he know that he would soon be on the road to gain the honor of Division Marine of the year.
"I was in the parking lot with a bunch of Marines and someone mentioned that they wanted a volunteer for the non-commissioned officer board. No one stood up to the plate and that annoyed me. Why wouldn't want to go before a board? So I volunteered," Price said with conviction.
Before Price even knew he had the NCO board and moved to take other boards. Eventually he gained the honor of becoming the Marine of the Year for the Battalion.
As time progressed, Price found himself going to the Sergeant's Course and that's when everything went into high gear as the Division headquarters announced a board.
"I found myself at the 'White House' competing against 10 other Marines from all the (combat arms) units here. I've never been to the 'White House' and to me that was a (breath-taking moment). To go before 13 sergeant majors from all over was an honor because of all the experience in one room," Price said.
One sergeant major present, remembered Price from previous encounters in the past.
"I was very impressed with Sgt. Price while he was conducting Military Operations in Urban Terrain exercises a while back. He seemed like a well-rounded mature individual. However, it was his modesty and comfortability in telling the sergeant majors about himself and his goals in the Marine Corps that got him selected," SgtMaj. Steven Clarke, 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
Although the title may have some stress involved, Price maintains a coolness and positive outlook of his new responsibilities.
"Some fellow Marines joke about it, but I find that the senior Marines understand what it means. I'm still trying to understand what it means, but I guess it's something that evolves as time goes by," Price said.
One thing is for sure; Price maintains that business goes as usual.
"People expect for my behavior to change because I'm the Division Marine of the Year. I'm going to try my best to reflect, but I'm not going to change because I won this. That's not who I am. To me, I believe that I didn't do anything special except be a Marine," Price said.
Another scale however, Price hopes to influence his fellow Marines into striving for excellence in themselves.
"This honor helps Marines believe in the system. Hopefully, they can see that it's an attainable goal. It shows them that I came from mud," Price said.
Believing in the mentorship philosophy of leadership, Price will soon fly to Washington D.C., for the NCO symposium to relay the concerns of Division Marines.
In the meantime, Price does what he wants the most.
"I love being a Marine and my job. Most of all I love being a sergeant. This honor only lends me credibility when I speak to junior Marines about our Corps," Price said.