The Navy’s Expeditionary Force took top honors in the Sailor of the Year (SOY) competition with all Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) Sailors winning each category.
In separate ceremonies, Steelworker 1st Class Brenton Heisserer was selected as the Chief of Naval Operations Shore Sailor of the Year; Logistics Specialist 1st Class Blanca Sanchez was selected as the U.S. Pacific Fleet Sailor of the Year; Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Joe Mendoza was selected as the U.S. Fleet Forces Sea Sailor of the Year and Construction Mechanic 1st Class Jimie Bartholomew was chosen as the U.S. Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year.
The winners will be meritoriously promoted to the rank of chief petty officer May 14 in a ceremony hosted by the Chief of Naval Operations and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy in Washington.
With the competition over, the winners shared their reactions to the career-altering and life-changing news.
“When they said CM1 my first thought was ‘NO WAY’ and I was worried about tripping on my way to the stage,” said Bartholomew, a native of Beatrice, Neb. “I also thought that I had better think of something good to say!”
Shock and surprise, but also pride seemed to be the norm for these Sailors.
“It took my breath away… I had to regroup my thoughts. I was in total shock,” said Sanchez, a native of Los Angeles.
“When I heard my name being called, I was in disbelief. It was a very surreal feeling,” said Mendoza, a native of Brownsville, Texas. “I honestly couldn't even think. I was shocked and when the room erupted with chants of "Navy Chief, Navy Pride", I couldn't think of anything else but being proud.”
“It was an amazing feeling; I definitely felt a great sense of accomplishment. I remember thinking, ‘I can't wait to tell my wife, my parents, and my brothers!,” said Heisserer, a native of Hayward, Calif.
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.
And even though they are the top Sailors in their respective categories, each Sailor agrees that success is a team effort.
“It’s an individual award, but nobody gets here by themselves,” said Bartholomew, Navy Reserve SOY. “It’s a total team effort; from the chiefs, officers, fellow First classes to the Seabees that worked with me in NMCB 25. It also takes the support of my civilian employer Union Pacific Rail Road, but most importantly it takes the support and sacrifice of my wife Gail and my twin daughters Emily and Alison.”
“To be classified as the ‘TOP Sailor’, it's a pretty big deal, but I can honestly say that my mentors and my Sailors played a huge part on how I got here,” said Mendoza. “I didn't do it alone, and for that I am very grateful."
Heisserer added that even though the Sailor of the Year program highlights the individual, he believes it encompasses more of what his leadership did for him instead of promoting his accomplishments.
“It's never about you. It's about your Sailors and your leaders and mentors; the ones who put you there,” said Heisserer. “You realize you would not be successful without your team. You get a chance to hear from some of the best and brightest minds in the enlisted community; you have the opportunity to listen!”
While the reality of being selected is still sinking in for the winners, leadership at these four commands had nothing but praise for their SOYs.
“The best way I could summarize my feelings for Sanchez would be like a proud father,” said Command Master Chief Frank Palmer of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Four. “Every Master Chief's dream is to see one of their Sailors being meritoriously advanced to CPO. I know how many trials and tribulations she has come through and overcome to make it here today, and I know what kind of Chief Petty Officer she will be.”
“I am proud and very happy for Heisserer,” said Naval Construction Group 1 Command Master Chief Lawrence Sharpe. “He’s an amazingly talented young man and he’s going to go as far as he wants in the Navy.”
On May 14 these Expeditionary Warriors will be ready to put on the Chief uniform and become deckplate leaders.
“It has been a goal and dream of mine to wear that symbolic uniform. It also carries with it, great responsibility, humility, and loyalty,” said Heisserer.
“It's a dream come true. I'm excited for the new challenges coming my way, and I look forward to the future,” said Sanchez.
For these four Sailors it is a major accomplishment to be meritoriously promoted to chief petty officer, and an honor shared by the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) commander.
"NECC is proud to have four Expeditionary Combat Sailors selected as Sailors of the Year," said Rear Adm. Frank Morneau, NECC commander. "I am certain they will, as every Chief in our Navy always has, take their courage, experience, professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm for their country and the Navy back to their Sailors to lead and inspire them for years to come. I'm truly honored, humbled and proud to serve alongside these young warriors."
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2015 14:40 |
| Story ID: | 162297 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NECC Sailors take top honors in SOY competition, by CPO Mary Popejoy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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