At the invitation of Captain Timothy Gibboney, USN, Commanding Officer New York City Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, and his Executive Officer, Major Andrew Ehrenfeld, USMC, invited the Marine Corps League-Westchester County Detachment #254 to present the top Marine graduate the Mameluke sword.
On Friday 20 May 2022 Westchester County Detachment members Kelly & Steve Topilnycky were in attendance at the SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx, NY for the commissioning ceremony.
Marine Topilnycky presented the Mameluke sword to SSgt Jamil Arroyo, USMC, the top Marine graduate who was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.
As with tradition, The first salute in which newly commissioned officers give a silver dollar to the person from whom they receive the very first salute of their career. For 2ndLt Arroyo, the first salute came from his wife, Sergeant Brogan Arroyo, USMC (also a member of the Marine Corps League-Sunrise Detachment #248).
In addition to 2ndLt Arroyo, two other Marines were commissioned as second lieutenants, they were Marines Jonathan Hedgedus and Elliot Wehrle. The Commissioning ceremony also commissioned four Naval ensigns, Norah Burns, Eliaas Garcia, Michael Hennicke and Savanna Urban.
Annually the Marine Corps League Westchester County Detachment awards the Mameluke sword to the top Marine graduate at the SUNY Maritime Collage.
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Second Lieutenant Jamil Arroyo Biography
Staff Sergeant Arroyo was born in Brooklyn, New York. He reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, in February 2014 for recruit training, where he achieved Company Honor Graduate. He subsequently completed Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, primary and secondary Aviation Ordnance Naval Air Technical Training at Pensacola, Florida, and Cherry Point, North Carolina, respectively.
In November 2014, Staff Sergeant Arroyo received orders to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 11, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Miramar, California, to serve as an Aviation Ordnance Systems Technician for Armament Weapons Support Equipment (AWSE). From March 2015 to September 2015, he participated in a Unit Deployment Program (UDP) to MALS 12, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. During this UDP, he supported operations Balikatan in the Philippines and Lava Viper in Hawaii.
Upon returning from UDP, Staff Sergeant Arroyo returned to MALS 11 AWSE and fulfilled the following billets: Collateral Duty Inspector, Production Controller, Support Equipment Planned Maintenance System Representative, Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival, and Color Sergeant.
From August 2017 to August 2018, Staff Sergeant Arroyo successfully served as a Driver for the Commanding General of 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Miramar, California.
In 2019, Staff Sergeant Arroyo executed orders to Recruiters School, San Diego, California. He subsequently served as a Production Recruiter for 1st Marine Corps District, Garden City, New York.
In December 2019, Staff Sergeant Arroyo was accepted to the Marine Enlisted Commissioning and Education Program. Subsequently, he attended Fordham University and is now earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business with a 3.859 GPA and is commissioning as a 2nd LT in the Marine Corps
Staff Sergeant Arroyo is married to the former Ms. Brogan Chaffer, and they have two children.
Staff Sergeant Arroyo’s decorations include Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star and two Good Conduct Medals.
