By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ellen Hilkowski
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT) named the command’s 2014 Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year (SOY) during a March 5 ceremony held at the Brashear Conference Center on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.
Logistics Specialist 1st Class Tamar Stewart was named SURFLANT’s 2014 Shore SOY and Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Alberto Beltran was selected as Sea SOY.
“What I want to tell you today as we take a tactical pause in our very busy lives on the waterfront, is that your actions do count,” said Rear Adm. Pete Gumataotao, SURFLANT commander. “Today is a celebration of who took advantage of a well-deserved opportunity to celebrate the positive actions on the waterfront of taking care of Sailors and doing the good business of serving our country.”
Stewart, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, is assigned to SURFLANT's Afloat Training Group as an afloat trainer/assessor and S-1 Customer Service Leading Petty Officer. Her collateral duties include Command Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate, First Class Petty Officer Association Secretary and Assistant Department Career Counselor.
“It feels amazing to win,” said Stewart. “I never thought that I would be here. I want to thank my peers and my command for their help and support.”
Beltran, a native of Bogota, Columbia, is assigned to the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) where he serves as Engineering Department Leading Petty Officer. Beltran recently graduated with top honors from Propulsion Alarms and 400 Hz Maintenance school. His decorations include the Navy Achievement Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal.
“This has been a great week,” said Beltran. “I’m going back to my command with a bag full of tools from a wonderful group of people that will help me further my Navy career.”
All ten finalists went through an interview process which included a board with Master Chief Petty Officers.
"They are the best of the surface force and all are true professionals, shipmates, and surface warriors," said SURFLANT Command Master Chief Scott Kelley. "They epitomize the Navy’s core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment."
Both Stewart and Beltran will advance to compete for Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command Sailor of the Year. If Beltran earns that title, he’ll be meritoriously advanced to the rank of chief petty officer. If Stewart wins as Shore SOY, she’ll move on to compete for the Chief of Naval Operation’s SOY.
The SOY program was established in 1972, by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Whittet, to recognize an individual Sailor who best represented the ever-growing group of dedicated professional Sailors at each command and ultimately the Navy. When the program began, only the Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Sailors were recognized. Within 10 years, the SOY program was expanded to include the shore establishment and Navy Reserve.
For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/surflant/.
| Date Taken: | 03.05.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.06.2015 16:15 |
| Story ID: | 156245 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US |
| Hometown: | BOGOTA, CO |
| Web Views: | 242 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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