A Tamaqua native's idea for saving lives in combat earned him $5,000 from the Marine Corps Beneficial Suggestion Program.

USMC Sgt. Stephen Trubilla, currently stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, suggested the Corps replace or cover the black painted brass snaps on Kevlar flak jackets after noticing the snaps cause a reflection in certain conditions. Trubilla, who enlisted in the Marines in 1971, noted the reflection could possibly give away troop positions in combat.