CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan -- CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Melisa J. Price, the identification oversight coordinator for the Installation Personnel Administration Center, Marine Corps Bases Japan, was presented a certificate of appreciation by Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler commanding general and deputy commander for Marine Corps Bases Japan, for her hard work and dedication to her job June 10.

“It’s a privilege to have a civilian employee at such a high caliber,” said Chief Warrant Officer Kevin L. Martin, headquarters officer in charge at IPAC, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. “I have the utmost confidence in her ability to complete any mission.”

Price has filled this position since January of 2008. She is in charge of all Marine Corps identification centers within Marine Corps Bases Japan, to include Camps Foster, Hansen, Courtney, Kinser and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in mainland Japan.

“She is always willing to go the extra mile for a customer in need,” said Master Sgt. Abraham Negron, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of IPAC. “When Marines are leaving the island and they lose their I.D. card, I have seen her come in on the weekends and in the middle of the night to help them.”

Price holds a civilian position that is equivalent to a staff NCO billet in the Marine Corps. In addition to her normal workload, she is responsible for the professional development of the Marines under her charge.

“She acts like a staff NCO for the I.D. section,” said Negron. “Even as a civilian, she teaches and reflects Marine Corps leadership. She is constantly counseling her Marines. She really takes care of her them.”

Along with performing such a demanding job, Melisa is the wife of Gunnery Sgt. Patrick Price and the mother of their five children. Michelle and Patrick have a daughter attending college, a son serving in the Navy, a son in high school, a son in middle school and a daughter in elementary school.

“Since I am an active duty spouse, and she is holding such a demanding civilian job, there is a lot of stress in our household, but she does a great job balancing work and home,” said Patrick. “She takes her job and her family very seriously. She is loyal to both her Marines at work and her kids at home. Being a staff NCO myself, I am taking phone calls at all hours of the day and night taking care of my Marines, and she is no different. When her Marines need something, they know they can call her at anytime for help, and she will help them.”

“I would not be who I am or where I am without her support and love,” said Patrick.

Melisa calls Havelock, N.C., home but has lived in many places across the world. She has been supporting her husband throughout his entire Marine Corps career. Melisa is planning on staying on Okinawa until 2012.

“In customer service, we don’t get much appreciation, and I am very grateful to receive this award,” Melisa said after receiving her award from Talleri.