RP3 Xavier Wofford

President, Tri-Command Single Marine Program.

As the religious program specialist for a Marine recruit battalion, RP3 Xavier Wofford is used to helping those in need.

“A lot of the younger kids have never been away from home,” said Wofford, who at 21 isn’t much older than those he supports. While meeting the spiritual needs of his charges, he also reminds them of more physical pursuits: “I give them sports scores on Sundays.”

Wofford looks for ways to improve the spiritual life of his command. He helped create new Islamic and Buddhist worship areas to support practitioners of those religions, which increased attendance at those services by 20 percent, he said.

Wofford “consistently goes above and beyond what is expected of him,” Chaplain (Lt.) Stephen Cloer wrote in his nomination, noting that Wofford had taken on several tasks normally beyond his paygrade — which was E-3 at the time.

Wofford also helps members of the surrounding community by coaching several youth and adult sports teams, and teaching life skills to dozens of at-risk youth at the Child Abuse Prevention Association. He also formed a group called the Impactors, which is dedicated to providing troubled children role models from the military community.

Although he’s served for a little more than two years, Wofford has his eye on the future: He’s applying for the Seaman to Admiral-21 commissioning program.