Cameron Tygett

The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Combat Cargo Assistant Cameron Tygett, who oversaw the loading and offload of over 280 vehicles and 400 pieces of cargo while aboard a US Naval vessel, is also the recipient of the 2014 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Cameron Tygett was previously the Landing Support Detachment Chief for the US Marine Corps in Camp Lejeune, NC.

Tygett received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal while serving aboard the U.S.S. Arlington, recognizing his role in the safe embarkation and debarkation of more than 700 coalition forces personnel, as well as 460 tons of cargo. He was also a critical part of the successful deployment and completion of dozens of amphibious operations of five nations Sailors and Marines.

The award was established in 1961and is given to members of the Armed Forces for meritorious achievements made while in non-combat and combat conditions. Those who receive the award must have made achievements that clearly exceed what is typically expected of military personnel, with regards to their training, grade, or experience.

Receiving and Wearing the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

An Overview of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Cameron Tygett has served as a landing support specialist, logistics chief, armory chief, and combat cargo assistant for the United States Marine Corps in North Carolina and Virginia. Skilled in such things as safety management and communication, Cameron Tygett earned several awards and commendations for his work, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM) that he received in 2014 while aboard the USS Arlington.

Established in 1961 as the Secretary of the Navy Commendation for Achievement with Ribbon by the Secretary of the Navy, the NAM is awarded to Armed Forces members, including both active and inactive members who belong to either a military branch or reserve component. These individuals cannot be beyond the rank of lieutenant commander or major within their respective unit.

To earn the NAM, individuals must display achievement or meritorious service in either a combat or non-combat situation. This service must not be enough for a person to earn a Navy or Marines Commendation Medal. However, it must require more recognition than what a person can receive on a routine performance evaluation.

Usually, professional achievements that merit such an award are beneficial to the U.S. Navy or Marines, and clearly exceed what is normally expected of an individual based on their training, experience, and rank. Meanwhile, leadership achievements reflect the credibility of the individuals, are noteworthy, and are either sustained or significant enough to earn recognition for a single act.

The Arc of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan

Cameron Tygett is a former United States Marine Corps logistics chief with extensive experience guiding throughput of mission-critical cargo and passengers. Formerly stationed in Virginia, Cameron Tygett also worked in overseas theaters such as Operation Enduring Freedom, with the 1st Marine Logistics Group Forward, in 2010. He served as squad leader, Landing Support Detachment.

As detailed by the Naval History and Heritage Command, Operation Enduring Freedom was initiated in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. A response to America’s worst-ever terrorist incident, it officially launched on October 7 with a series of British and US bombing strikes carried out in Afghanistan against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

This aerial response severely crippled al-Qaeda and removed the Taliban from power. However, it led to an era of protracted and stubborn Taliban insurgency. In addition, it encompassed the often-serious challenges of rebuilding infrastructure in coordination with nascent entities such as the Afghan Border Police, Afghan National Police, and Afghan National Army. One example of these challenges occurred in February 2007, when a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up at a Bagram Air Base checkpoint and killed 20 personnel.

A culmination of Operation Enduring Freedom came on May 2, 2011, when US Navy SEALs carried out a raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, that took out 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden’s compound and left the al-Qaeda leader dead. While the Operation officially ended on December 28, 2014, coalition forces have stayed on the ground since then to provide Afghan security forces with training and logistical assistance.