Homayoun “TJ” Tawajo, a senior network administrator at Mission Technologies, recently received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM) from the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Tawajo, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, was recognized for “flawless IT support” at the Defense Innovation Unit in Mountain View, California.

“It felt surreal and very special to receive my very first NAM from the Commandant of the Marine Corps,” Tawajo said. “Typically, these awards are earned at the unit level, so earning one from such a high command echelon was an honor and rare. You don’t come by this every day, and I will surely remember this forever. Now, I have a great story to tell my friends and my junior Marines, who will never believe me until they see the photos. That’s how rare it is to get a NAM from the CMC.”

Tawajo’s nomination cited his support of several high-profile events over the last year, including visits from the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense as well as a House Subcommittee on Defense hearing on defense innovation.

When asked what a driving force to his success has been, Tawajo credited the Marine Corps ethos and support from his project management team.

“The Marine Corps ethos has stuck with me throughout my career, even after I completed my active-duty term and transitioned into the Reserves and civilian job sector,” he said. “Additionally, the unwavering support from my PM team, Mark Vertulli and Christopher MacMullin, has contributed to my success.

“As Marines always say: Adapt and overcome,” he added. “You can ask any Marine, and they’ll tell you the same thing. We sometimes hardly had the resources to keep our radios or networks running, but no matter the circumstances or the adversary, you find a way to make it work in every clime and place.”