Staff Sgt. Zachary Rubart

After two combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Staff Sgt. Zachary Rubart imagined a new assignment as platoon sergeant for the famed Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon in Washington would present a different kind of challenge.

But on Sept. 16, 2013, while Rubart was training on the Marine Barracks Washington parade deck, reports of an active shooter next door at Washington Navy Yard brought all his infantry experience and combat training into focus. Without wasting a moment, Rubart assembled a handful of Marines into a quick reaction force and took off for the armory, his ceremonial sword still strapped to his side.

Once armed, Rubart and his Marines teamed up with the law enforcement officers to clear several rows of buildings and secure the home of the chief of naval operations and the other flag officers who lived there.

"Because we came off looking like we reacted the exact way we were supposed to, he kind of helped us develop a
[standard operating procedure]," said 1st Sgt. Michael Brown, Rubart's senior enlisted supervisor.

Rubart, 31, is this year's Military Times Marine of the Year. He was selected based on his proven leadership in high-stakes situations, his commitment to improving himself and his Marines on and off-duty, and his long record of community service.

Now the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the Marine Corps Security Force at the White House Communications Agency out of Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, Rubart supervises about 50 Marines who travel with the president for security and support.

Off the clock, Rubart works hard to keep his Marines involved in their community, organizing volunteering opportunities to mentor children of fallen troops, assist veterans in need and feed the homeless. During his previous assignment as an instructor at the School of Infantry out of Camp Geiger, North Carolina, Rubart volunteered more than 100 hours to coach youth soccer.

Rubart also earned his bachelor's degree in management from American Military University in May, on top of his full-time job and caring for his two children.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Sara Freeman

When Sara Freeman joined the Navy in 2009, she didn't know what a corpsman was. Today, she is among the best and brightest.

Eisenhower's command master chief calls her a "rock star" with a professional commitment that is uncommon among junior sailors. With a ship full of sailors like Freeman, "I could rule the world," said CMDCM Shay Langejans.

Leaders in the ship's medical department lauded Freeman's "infectious positive attitude," commitment to team, compassionate care, and excellence in every task she is given. Her efforts as the command pregnancy coordinator pushed women's health readiness to 89 percent. An additional 1,556 health assessments and nearly 4,000 immunizations, as well as qualifying 12 CPR heart-saver instructors and 54 students in basic life support, helped net a 99-percent individual medical readiness, the highest medically ready status in the fleet. Ike received the Medical Blue "H" gold star and Medical Blue "M" awards; officials described Freeman's contributions as invaluable and named her the Medical Department Petty Officer of the Year.

A survivor of sexual assault prior to joining the Navy,
Freeman has turned a personal trauma into a passion for helping others.

"When it happened to me, I didn't feel like I had anyone I could turn to," she said. "So I am very fortunate to be afforded the opportunity to help people who have been through the same thing, even if it is just to listen to them."

Freeman served as part of the carrier's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response team and volunteers to help prevent sexual assault in the Hampton Roads community. She works with Virginia Goodwill Community Outreach and the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank to feed and clothe people struggling with poverty, substance abuse and homelessness. She also has volunteered to help the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in the Tidewater region as well as the "Paint Your Heart Out" endeavor to improve Chesapeake schools.

The 28-year-old attributes her success to life's experience and the example of strong leaders. She is working toward a bachelor's degree in nursing and plans to become a chief so she can guide and influence younger sailors.

Senior Airman Joseph Moreland

Senior Airman Joseph Moreland isn't your typical communications airman.

A tactical cyber systems operator with the 1st Special Operations Communications Squadron, Moreland has deployed three times since joining the Air Force in December 2011. And on his deployment last year, his office wasn't on a base in Afghanistan, it was riding alongside special operations troops to austere locations, setting up crucial communications lines to assist in high-value missions.

"I've never seen everything come together so smoothly," Moreland said of his work setting up communications for Air Force and Army special operators in the field. "It's like a 1,000 piece puzzle, but you have all the pieces and they all fall right into place.? Moreland's commanders highlighted his work in 2014 in Afghanistan, saying he should be recognized as the 2015 Air Force Times Airman of the Year. "(Senior Airman) Moreland, while young, is a leader. Plain and simple," said Col. Christopher Ireland, who commanded Moreland during his recent deployment. "He embraced his combat role in Afghanistan, and we empowered him with responsibility and authority beyond his rank."

Ireland said that during his time in Afghanistan, Moreland was responsible for creating new tactical communications for the Special Operations Air Component to control air and ground assets. Forward deployed to austere locations, he created the sole communications source for special operations joint task force personnel. During his deployment, an Army Special Forces team's fiberoptic line was destroyed, "essentially isolating them from the rest of the world." Moreland was de-ployed and had their communications back up and running within 24 hours.

He also led a project to install 20 wired and six wireless Internet suites for more than 500 military dorm residents at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. Earlier, he was the comm person for the first-ever 1 SOW reintegration team to go to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.?

Moreland lives near the base in Niceville, Florida, with his wife and daughter. After work, Moreland volunteers with an animal rescue facility. He also coordinated a volunteer effort following flooding in the area, leading eight volunteers and saving about $50,000 in goods. Moreland also coaches tee ball in Shalimar, Florida, and coordinated a Combined Federal Campaign fundraiser last year to raise hundreds for military charities.?

Aviation Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Lee Biladeau

Aviation Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Lee Biladeau is a consummate coach on and off duty, whether it's teaching kids to play lacrosse or staying late at work to help a shipmate study.

As an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter mechanic and aircrewman at Air Station Traverse City, Michigan, Biladeau is beloved by all, from his maintenance and engineering officers to the pilots and rescue swimmers, to the young AMT3s and a contract boat skipper who provides a target for search and rescue practice.

"You can tell when it's him on the hoist," Sonny Aeschliman told Navy Times on a recent afternoon outing on Lake Michigan. "He's the best."

At his first duty station as an AMT, in Port Angeles, Washington, Biladeau got involved with a local lacrosse club called the Mountaineers.

Biladeau signed up to be head coach of the new, co-ed junior high-age team, taking on seven boys and three girls who'd never played a day in their lives. He spent three seasons with them, practicing every day after school and traveling on Saturdays for games in the Seattle area.

Meanwhile, he made a name for himself at the air station, volunteering to take duty when others had a conflict, and earning his flight mechanic instructor designation has an E-4, well ahead of schedule for most AMTs.

Biladeau transferred to Traverse City, Michigan, in the summer of 2014, where his coaching continued.

While networking to find lacrosse opportunities in Michigan, he made a name for himself at the air station as the guy who's always willing to pick up shifts when someone has a personal conflict, or stay late helping a junior Coastie get up to speed on his syllabus.

Biladeau has dozens of SAR missions and hundreds of flight hours under his belt. His awards and decorations include two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, a Unit Commendation Ribbon, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Meritorious Team Commendation Ribbons, a Commandant Letter of Commendation Ribbon, a Special Operations Service Ribbon and two Good Conduct Medals.

Tech. Sgt. Emanuel Dela Cruz

Tech. Sgt. Emanuel Dela Cruz is in charge of cargo operations at Joint Base Charleston, where he makes sure pallets are properly built for the aircraft on which they will be loaded and that the aerial porters are properly trained. While deployed as the Senior Controller/Duty Officer of the Air Terminal Operations Center (ATOC) at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Tech. Sgt. Dela Cruz was engaged in the coalition humanitarian aid to 55,000 Iraqi refugees trapped in the mountains of Iraq due to Islamic State group advances. His efforts led to the airdrop of more than 300,000 pounds of food and water over 26 missions, within eight days. In a separate assignment, he helped transport 30 up-armored Humvees to Ukraine.

In his free time, Dela Cruz volunteers with the Summerville Miracle League, which teaches baseball to special needs children. He encourages the children to enjoy their time as he teaches them to bat, catch and run the bases.

Notable quote from his nomination form: "He continually sets the example for all airmen to follow."