Forty enlisted service men and women from seven military reserve components in the state of Wisconsin were recognized Nov. 12 at the 42nd Annual Wisconsin Military Achievement Awards at the Capitol building in Madison, Wis.
To be eligible for this award, a service member must be assigned to a Wisconsin National Guard or reserve unit. The standards include proficiency in a military assignment, attendance of scheduled training assemblies, leadership ability, military appearance and bearing, and overall citizenship.
One award recipient was noted for spending an enormous amount of time ensuring the Marine Corps gets maximum exposure in the community around Recruiting Substation Eau Claire, Recruiting Station Milwaukee.
Cpl. John J. Treslley, a rifleman by trade, is currently assigned to Company G, 2d Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, in Madison, Wis., as a recruiter’s aide. Treslley, who grew up in Hayward, Wis., now enjoys influencing Marine Corps recruiting close to his hometown out of Permanent Contact Station Rice Lake, Wis.
Treslley says the award and the notoriety humble him.
The Rice Lake area, as well as the entire northwestern part of Wisconsin is made up of sparsely-populated towns surrounded by miles of forest. An area this remote may seem difficult to recruit for some, but not to Treslley.
“He is good at what he does,” said 1st Sgt. Daniel S. Miller, company first sergeant, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment “He is motivated, trains hard, and loves being a Marine.”
His motivation for the Marine Corps has led him to even modify his vehicle into a version of an enhanced marketing vehicle to further push the exposure of the Marine Corps.
Treslley has referred more than 15 people who have enlisted in the Marine Corps, according to Maj. James Olson, commanding officer of RS Milwaukee.
He enjoys recruiting so much that he requested to be placed on the Extended Active Duty recruiter program and to attend Recruiters School.
Following the ceremony, Treslley drove 300 miles home.
The other three Marines awarded at the ceremony were Staff Sgt. Mark Raymer and Cpl. Peter Vargo, both with Bulk Fuel Detachment, Company B, and Cpl. Ryan Zenoni with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines.