Marine Forces Europe, Stuttgart Germany -- Sergeant Shawn J. Rubeck, of Marine Forces Europe, was named the European Command?s Junior Service Member of the Year at EUCOM?s Service Member and Civilian of the Year luncheon April 6th.
Rubeck, who is second generation Marine, was one of seven finalists who competed for the honors at a EUCOM selection board. The contestants and board members represented all of the Components that make up the European Command.
Filling a master sergeant?s billet as the operations chief for the G-1 section, Rubeck has been responsible for processing incoming augments for EUCOM contingency operations.
He also conducts billet validations to ensure augmented Marines are used in their assigned billet description, in 28 countries across the European theater.
A Marine who prides himself on getting the job done and taking care of his fellow Marines, Rubeck is honored to wear the title, on behalf of the Corps.
?We are the smallest service here in Europe, so I really wanted to take that board on behalf of all the Marines here, said Rubeck. ?I take great pride in representing the Corps,? he added.
Rubeck, who joined the Corps in 1995, followed in his father?s footsteps. A limited duty officer, Capt. Roger Rubeck retired from Quantico shortly before his son received orders there.
?When I checked into to my first unit the officer-in-charge called me in and I thought I was in trouble before I even started,? said Rubeck. ?When he sat me down and put me at ease he told me know that he didn?t know me, but he sure knew my father. I think then I realized that hard work pays off,? he added reflecting on the number of people who always spoke of his father.
Rubeck hopes that one day he can be looked upon, as his father was, a Marine officer who took care of his Marines. The Florida native has been working hard to finish his college degree, in the hopes of becoming a Marine officer.
According to LtCol. Leah Watson, the Assistant Chief of Staff for G-1, Rubeck is not only a well-rounded Marine, but also an extreme asset to Marine Forces Europe.
?He has been very instrumental in developing a series of databases we are now using,? said Watson. ?One of his great attributes is his ability to understand and manage many projects at the same time.?
The 25-year-old Marine is no stranger to accolades. He was named Marine of the Quarter twice and Marine of the Year, last year for Marine Forces Europe as well as the EUCOM Service Member of the Quarter, last year.
In addition to the honor and title, the Florida native will also receive several awards and gifts from area merchants and military associations, to include a stay at a resort, a car rental, and various shopping sprees.