MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. -- Sgt. Joseph Tumpis, calibration technician for Maintenance Center Barstow, was named MCLB Barstow's Marine of the Year Dec. 1. It was through his participation in base activities, and his many notable achievements that he became the base's MOY.
Tumpis was born in Chicago, Ill., but moved to Rhineland, Wis., shortly after he was born.
His life was not glamorous nor filled with a constant flow of caviar and lobster tail, but he made the most out of what his mother did to support her three children, he said. It was because of his mother's ability to make ends meet, by working as an independent contractor, that Tumpis learned to be a hard worker.
"My mom had an entrepreneurial spirit that I guess rubbed off on me," Tumpis said.
It is through what his mother taught him growing up that Tumpis has turned his attitude and actions as a Marine into those of someone who likes to get things done, he said. He realized that if people want something to be done right then they are going to have to do it themselves.
Tumpis also likes to be number one, he said. While growing up in Wisconsin, Tumpis played sports and viewed life as a competition.
The elite nature of the Marine Corps is what attracted him because of his competitive spirit, he said. Having already made a decision, the recruiter's job was easy.
"The recruiter gave me a free soda and that's all it took," Tumpis reminisced.
When enlisting, Tumpis originally planned to be a technician for satellites and fiber optics, but before going to his military occupational specialty school, he received orders to Keesler Air Force Base Biloxi, Miss., to become a test measurement and diagnostic equipment technician.
Tumpis was a little disappointed on not receiving the MOS he had chosen, but he is not one to dwell on problems he cannot control, he said. It is his philosophy that people should complete tasks and assignments to the best of their ability no matter what it might be.
This is why Tumpis volunteers his time to participate in numerous committees and planning groups to better life at MCLB, he said. Tumpis felt that he would only be cheating other people and himself if he didn't help out with planning base events.
"I think I have some pretty good ideas," said Tumpis.
While in Barstow, Tumpis has participated in the Marine Corps birthday ball committee, walking color guard and Single Marine Program.
After he completes his term of enlistment in July 2006, Tumpis plans to move back to the Midwest and go to school for a business degree and eventually use his hard work to start his own business, he said.
Tumpis feels that anyone who works hard and stays focused on their goals is able to become successful, whether it be by earning the title of Marine of the Year or by being a positive influence on the people around them, he said. He can only hope that his accomplishments as a Marine are a prediction of accomplishments to come in the future.