Meriting the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal

Retired Navy captain David Schnell serves as the general manager of the Americas Commercial & State Transportation Group’s Los Angeles Express Lanes program. In his days of active duty, Captain David Schnell received several military honors including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. 

The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal is awarded to persons who distinguish themselves through meritorious service or heroic acts during their time in the Navy or the Marine Corps. The act or service must be performed exceptionally well and above what is normally expected, and in a way that distinguishes the person from others providing the same services. 

Specifically, the commendation medal is awarded for the following:

- Meritorious achievement that deserves special recognition and contributes to the Naval Service, such as an invention or improvement in an existing design or procedure. 

-Meritorious service that deserves special recognition, is well above what is expected of individuals in a similar grade or rate, and is above the degree expected considering the individual’s fitness reports and performance evaluations. 

-Acts of heroism that deserve special mention. 

The qualifying acts of heroism or meritorious achievement or service must be outstanding, but not to a degree warranting higher-ranked medals in each of the circumstances.

Adopting or Fostering a Child Through Walden Family Services

Captain David Schnell has served as commanding officer on the USS Ford and the USS Peleliu warships over the course of his 27-year career with the US Navy. After retiring, Captain David Schnell took on a position as executive director of Christ Kitchen, a non-profit organization that provides food to the homeless in the San Diego area. In addition, he sits on the board of the Walden Family Services group, which supports foster children. 

Founded in 1976, Walden Family Services provides programming for foster youth and for potential adoptive parents or foster families. Many children in foster care have special needs, may identify as LGBTQ, have experienced trauma, or have a sibling in foster care with them. Each of those conditions can present challenges for potential adoption. Walden Family Services offers orientation and training sessions to help potential parents understand and prepare for these challenges. 

Foster and adoptive parents can be certified through Walden by taking orientation sessions and parent training classes, all of which are free. The organization will also provide a home inspection and background check to ensure the child’s safety. A home study involves a social worker assessing a potential parent’s skills and the qualities that will contribute to an appropriate match. Once a child or children are placed in the family, Walden may continue to provide support and resources, depending on the family’s situation.

VFW Leads Successful Push for Lower TRICARE Costs

A former Captain in the U.S. Navy, David Schnell now serves as vice president of operations for the electronic tolling collection division of Xerox’s Americas Commercial and State Government Transportation Group. Still true to his military roots, Captain David Schnell maintains membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 15005.

As a result of a strong push from the VFW and other service-based advocacy groups, the Defense Health Agency announced in January 2018 that the costs for TRICARE will be going down this year. For active duty service personnel who were in the military prior to January 1, 2018, primary care copays have been cut to $21, down from $27, and retired personnel will now pay $28 for primary visits instead for $35. Other medical services have also seen their costs reduced under the new plan. Patients who start their military service after January 1, 2018, will be subject to a fee schedule outlined in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The Meritorious Service Medal

Before assuming his current role as general manager of Los Angeles express lanes for the Americas Commercial & State Transportation Group, Captain David Schnell served 27 years with the United States Navy. Among his accomplishments as an executive and commanding officer on several navy ships, Captain David Schnell received a Meritorious Service Medal with three stars.

The Meritorious Service Medal was born at the Tri-Department Awards Conference of 1968, when military leaders discussed the need for a new meritorious award to acknowledge noncombat achievement or service that is roughly equivalent to the combat service that merits a Bronze Star Medal. President Lyndon B. Johnson officially recognized the Meritorious Service Medal in 1969. Twelve years later, president Ronald Reagan amended the Meritorious Service Medal order to extend this honor to armed forces members of friendly foreign nations in addition to United States service personnel.

Cast in bronze, the Meritorious Service Medal features a depiction of an eagle with its wings raised. The eagle rests upon two upwardly curving laurel branches and stands in front of multiple concentric stars. The Medal is attached to the uniform with a ribbon of crimson and white stripes.

Bread of Life Rescue Mission - Serving Those in Need in San Diego

A former officer in the US Navy, Captain David Schnell commanded the USS Peleliu, overseeing daily operations and administering the budget. Captain David Schnell, long involved in charitable giving, currently serves as executive director of San Diego-based Christ Kitchen, an affiliate of the Bread of Life Rescue Mission.

Founded in 1999, the Bread of Life Rescue Mission serves those who are disadvantaged or experiencing homelessness in San Diego County. In addition to providing a shelter with case management services from December 1 through March 31, the organization operates the soup kitchen, feeding between 50 and 150 individuals per night. The organization’s food assistance extends beyond the kitchen to include a food distribution network that provides packaged food to some 10,000 individuals each month. 

The Bread of Life Rescue Mission relies on a network of volunteers to prepare meals and package food for distribution. To learn more about the organization and ways to contribute, visit www.bolrescue.org.

The Guided Missile Frigate USS Ford

The Vice President of Operations for Xerox' Electronic Tolling Collection division in Los Angeles, Navy captain David Schnell draws on experience gained during his career in the armed forces. Captain David Schnell commanded two vessels, including the guided missile frigate USS Ford.

The Ford was one of the Oliver Hazard Perry class of warships, which were introduced in 1977 as a means of protecting surface ships and fighting submarines. At its top strength, the class boasted 71 ships. Budget cuts and a transition to new stealth-capable technologies have reduced these numbers.

Up to 205 persons, including 15 officers, crewed the Ford. Additionally, six officers and up to 15 enlisted members took responsibility for the operation of two medium helicopters (Sikorsky SH-60).

Powered by two gas turbine engines, the ship had a maximum speed of 29 knots. Her armament consisted of torpedoes, rapid-fire deck guns, an autocannon, and heavy machine guns. A Vulcan Phalanx weapons system targeted aerial attack, including cruise missiles.

The Ford was commissioned in June 1985. After taking part in exercises and patrols, she was decommissioned in October 2013. The ship was named after a Vietnam War hero Gunner’s Mate Second Class Patrick Osborne Ford.