NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md -- If Navy petty officer first class Alexander Rullo looks like he hadn’t slept much the night before, it’s because he might have been on an overnight mission to help save lives.

Rullo, in addition to his military duties as an aviation electrician’s mate here at Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic-Patuxent River (FRCMA-Pax River), is also a Bay District Volunteer Fire Department volunteer and a Sea Cadet mentor.

Since July 2011, his efforts and the efforts of his FRCMA-Pax River co-workers have racked up more than 3,700 volunteer hours benefitting more than 90,000 people, helping the command earn the 2012 Naval District of Washington Personal Excellence Partnership Flagship award.

The Commander, Navy Installation Command sponsored award recognizes exemplary voluntary service to promote youth education, physical fitness and citizenship. FRCMA-Pax River competed in the Small Shore category for commands with fewer than 200 personnel; they received the award March 11.

Volunteers like Rullo say the recognition is nice but the future return on his investment is what really drives him to give so much of his time. When not putting out fires, Rullo can be found in Norfolk, Va. sparking young imaginations as a volunteer with the Sea Cadets program there.

“I started as a Sea Cadet when I was 13 and had a strong desire to be a Sailor,” said Rullo, who estimates he’s probably invested almost 2,000 hours in the program. “I’ve had a successful career so far in the Navy and I want to give back. It’s great to have some of the kids join the Navy and look you up to tell you thanks.

“Some of these kids may be working for me someday, so it behooves me to get involved,” Rullo said.

Giving back to the community through volunteerism is a theme followed by another FRCMA-Pax River volunteer.

Aviation Electrician’s Mate 3^rd Class Crystal Ybarra is a member of NAS Patuxent River Honor Guard, which is called upon to perform at retirement, change of command and commissioning ceremonies, as well as civic events and funerals.

“It’s an honor to pay our respects to a fallen Sailor who has gone before us,” Ybarra, a native of San Francisco, said. “It’s more than just fluff. We’re carrying on the traditions of the Navy and showing Navy pride.”

The Honor Guard also mentors Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets at Great Mills High School.

“It feels good to have that privilege of being a part of their lives for a short time,” Ybarra said.

Coordinating the volunteer activities is Chief Logistics Specialist Aneta Fusilero. She spreads the word about volunteer opportunities and helps Sailors track their hours. Fusilero said that while she tracks only the Sailor’s volunteer hours, many civilians and contractors at FRCMA-Pax River help in the community.

“There are some Sailors here who are doing volunteer hours so they can get promotion points and that’s ok,” she said. “But there are also plenty here who put in far more (time) because they really believe in what they are volunteering with.”

Fusilero said becoming involved is important to her and she often remembers the words of a former mentor.

 “She said, ‘To the world you may be one person’,” Fusilero said. “But to one person, you may be the world.”